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(3)
4-6
In a future when an asteroid has moved Earth closer to the sun, Astra is grieving her mother--a scientist who died in an accident on Mars--while Jameson's dad is currently on a Mars mission. A communication device keeps Jameson in contact with his father, but the device seems to be hiding the truth. Sympathetic characters and vivid descriptions of the sun-scorched world enhance the compelling story.
(3)
4-6
Checkerboard Library: Exploring Our Universe series.
Elementary facts about bodies in the solar system and throughout the universe are portioned out across multiple slim volumes. Each book includes broad descriptions of the featured astronomical topic; historical and current thinking about scientific features and composition; and the telescopes, probes, and spacecraft used to investigate them. Captioned photographs, diagrams, and sidebars effectively supplement the satisfactory texts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Exploring Our Universe titles: The Moon, Galaxies, The Sun, The Amazing Universe, Asteroids, Comets, and Meteoroids, Planets, and Stars.
440 pp.
| Putnam
| March, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-54493-4$17.99
(4)
YA
The Anvil, a planet-killing asteroid, is heading for Earth. Seemingly unconnected to this are two story lines: sixteen-year-old Min being "killed" by a strange man every two years only to awaken unharmed, and popular teen Noah dreaming of nothing but violence and death. Then Min discovers she and Noah are part of Project Nemesis, an apocalypse-related scientific experiment. Despite a convoluted plot, the fascinating premise and cliffhanger ending should entice readers.
(2)
4-6
Scientists in the Field series.
Photographs by
Karin Anderson.
Impact profiles a collection of astronomers, geologists, and meteorite hunters to examine the history of asteroid strikes on Earth and gauge the risks of future encounters. It also includes a fascinating look at technologies proposed or being developed to protect Earth from a major impact. The volume prominently features research methods and tools, along with excellent photographs, diagrams, maps, and artistic renderings. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2018
(3)
YA
Russian astrophysics prodigy Yuri comes to America to help NASA stop an asteroid headed to Earth. But the seventeen-year-old is finding that his American colleagues fail to take him seriously. Meanwhile, a budding friendship with an American girl allows Yuri to finally experience normal teenage life. The blend of science and romance with complex, unusual characters offers a fresh take on apocalyptic fiction.
(4)
4-6
Get to Work with Science and Technology series.
These books introduce four science-, math-, and technology-related professions. Each book explores the use of data, scientific tools, and the latest technology to determine an asteroid's proximity to Earth, create a space-exploring robot, develop new blockbuster video entertainment, or care for dangerous animals. Behind-the-scenes photos in a distracting design support these enthusiastic overviews. Reading list. Glos, ind. Review covers these Get to Work with Science and Technology titles: Asteroid Hunters, Exploring Distant Worlds as a Space Robot Engineer, The Wild World of a Zoo Vet, and The Wonderful Worlds of a Video Game Designer.
40 pp.
| Simon
| April, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-3976-3$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-3977-0
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Brad Woodard.
Astro, an asteroid with attitude, enjoys his quiet life and plentiful "personal outer space" until a satellite bumps into him ("GOOD GRAVITY!") and sends him "hurtl[ing] through space" at "unstoppable speeds." The stimulating vocabulary (e.g., rambunctious, celestial, distraught) and retro-feeling digital art invigorate this combination adventure tale and asteroid primer. The appended "Selection of Space Facts" is equally lively.
24 pp.
| Smart Apple
| March, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62588-207-3$27.10
(4)
K-3
Space series.
Factual statements about the solar system and outlying bodies in the universe are accompanied by diagrams and high-quality images of planets, stars, moons, and spacecraft. The series' coverage is uneven. For example, each planet receives just two pages in a book, while the moon and sun are treated more in-depth in full volumes. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Space titles: Asteroids and Comets, Galaxies and Stars, Our Moon, Our Sun, Planets Far From Earth, and Planets Near Earth.
(3)
1-3
Judy Moody and Friends series.
Illustrated by
Erwin Madrid.
In three vignettes, Stink and Judy watch the night sky for a comet in a sweet sibling moment; Stink worries about (and prepares for) an asteroid hitting Earth; and Stink names a star. McDonald has done a stellar job of transferring the appeal of the original Judy Moody series into transitional readers; full-bleed illustrations bring the beloved characters to bright, colorful life.
(4)
K-3
Across the Universe series.
Information about each of these objects in the universe, along with the tools scientists use to investigate them, are presented in odd layouts that appropriate the iconography of a mobile app or website. More impressive are the excellent images of galaxies, stars, and planetary bodies presented on dark backgrounds. Each book also contains an activity; their quality varies. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Across the Universe titles: Asteroids, Comets, Galaxies, Moons, Planets, and The Sun.
266 pp.
| Scholastic/Point
| July, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-545-80253-6$17.99
(4)
YA
With just over twenty-four hours until an asteroid hits, homeless teens Emerson and Vince seize the moment by wandering Portland, Oregon, looking for people with regrets to solve and dreams to fulfill. In a narrative alternating poetry with prose, the "pay it forward" message is oversimplified and strained but certainly uplifting, and Emerson's attempt to repair her family relationships resonates.
331 pp.
| Sourcebooks/Fire
| October, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4926-0654-3$16.99
(2)
YA
Ruby Morris heard about the asteroid that almost collided with Earth--"honestly, it was boring"--but years later, dust from that boring asteroid infects water molecules with an alien virus that kills humans on contact. Alone and thirsty, Ruby holds tightly to the unlikely hope that her father is still alive. Ruby's diary-style narration lends some dark comedy to the post-apocalyptic doom and gloom.
324 pp.
| Penguin/Razorbill
| February, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59514-713-4$16.99
(3)
4-6
Hollins, Becky, Nicki, and Little Gus are human children of a space crew chosen to colonize the asteroid Gelo. Child alien Chorkle accidentally meets and becomes friends with the young humans, much to the chagrin of the alien people. Told from Chorkle's point of view, O'Donnell tells an often humorous tale of intergalactic politics, friendship, adventure, and growing up.
372 pp.
| Farrar
| September, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-37861-5$17.99
(2)
YA
With an asteroid strike imminent, three Martha's Vineyard teens--loner Caden; Sienna, just released from a psychiatric hospital; and Zan, who is trying to solve the mystery of her boyfriend's death--live what could be their last days as best they can. With a weighty, appropriately foreboding writing style, Coutts paints a candid and emotional picture of a pre-apocalyptic America.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2013
(3)
4-6
Hyperspace High series.
Illustrated by
Dani Geremia.
When John Riley accidentally gets on the wrong school bus, he becomes the first human to enroll at Hyperspace High, an intergalactic school aboard a spaceship. When two school field trips go awry, John and his friends must save their classmates from certain death. This action-packed new series offers relatable, quirky school stories with a sci-fi twist (picture Hogwarts in space). Review covers these Hyperspace High titles: Crash Landing and Frozen Enemies.
(4)
YA
World After... series.
After a graphic novel–style prologue, this book takes a serious look at the potential environmental and societal impacts of a cataclysmic asteroid strike on Earth. The fairly dense presentation is supported by "Fact or Fiction" and "How Likely Is It?" boxes, relevant sidebars, charts, and captioned photographs. The tiny-size type and cramped page design may be off-putting to some readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.
(4)
4-6
Astronaut Travel Guides series.
Set up as guides for future space travelers, these books present basic information about bodies in the solar system as well as explain the scientific missions and methods used to study them. Color photographs from missions and telescopes; profiles of and interviews with scientists and astronauts; and additional facts in text boxes are found throughout the busy layouts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Astronaut Travel Guides titles: Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors and Mars.
48 pp.
| Enslow
| February, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3673-4$23.93 New ed. (1996)
(3)
4-6
Bizarre Science series.
If readers ignore the gimmicky series title and dripping purple caption boxes, they'll find this revised book contains an informative text and engaging illustrations. Five chapters cover astronomy-based explanations behind dinosaurs' extinction, some history of meteoric activity on Earth, current threats to the planet, and the possibility of future catastrophic events. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind
48 pp.
| Enslow/Bailey
| December, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3188-3$23.93
(4)
K-3
Far-Out Guide to the Solar System series.
These texts explore a range of topics about bodies in the solar system, covering both planetary science and the technology used to explore and gather data. The formats are a little crowded with main text, detailed captions for the many color photographs and diagrams, "Far-Out Fact" text boxes, and "Fast Facts" lists. There are six other fall 2010 titles in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Far-Out Guide to the Solar System titles: Far-Out Guide to Asteroids and Comets, Far-Out Guide to Earth, Far-Out Guide to Icy Dwarf Planets, Far-Out Guide to Mars, Far-Out Guide to the Moon, and Far-Out Guide to the Sun.
112 pp.
| Morgan
| November, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59935-121-6$28.95
(4)
4-6
Extreme Threats series.
This cautionary book begins with the Tunguska event of 1908, when a meteor struck central Russia. It then considers evidence for such collisions in geologic and present times, discussing, for example, NEOs (near earth objects). Human attempts to predict, control, and deflect meteor strikes are touched on in a more cursory way. Numerous photographs illustrate the dry text. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos, ind.