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40 pp.
| Holt
| May, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-250-30317-2$17.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Heather Fox.
On Monday, Llama eats cake. On Tuesday, he splits his dancing pants ("He was still full of cake"), which makes a sound that causes a black hole in the universe to tear open. By Friday the hole has swallowed everything...or has it? Riotous cartoonish art and the dopey-looking llama's lack of self-control are to thank for this absurdist gut buster.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ayesha L. Rubio.
Abby, who is avoiding doing her homework, secretly follows her physicist dad's instructions for making a black hole. But could there be a downside to entering a homework-free "baby universe"? While the story is somewhat contrived, its science is sound, as an author's note avers. The lovely swirls and hazes in the digital illustrations conjure something seemingly antithetical to science: magic.
202 pp.
| Dial
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-53913-8$16.99
(3)
4-6
Eleven-year-old Stella is coping with her father's death when a black hole follows her home from a trip to NASA and eats everything in its path, including the family dog and Stella's memories. Cuevas delicately balances wild sci-fi with tremendous respect for her grieving heroine; illustrations and design choices (black pages with white text denote action inside the black hole) enhance the imaginative story.
120 pp.
| Twenty-First Century
| November, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-5124-1568-1$37.32
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5124-4863-4
(3)
YA
This fact-filled yet conversational discussion covers the history of physics and astrophysics then details current research on black holes, including their structure and formation, gravity waves, Fermi bubbles, and the telescopes and technologies used to investigate distant objects. Biographical profiles of scientists are found throughout the text; photographs and diagrams help to explain the high-level concepts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
(3)
4-6
Space Discovery Guides series.
Black holes, gravitational waves, space-time and relativity, and modern technologies that help scientists develop theories about the makeup of the universe are covered in this book. Helpful diagrams and photographs of detectors and scientists at work accompany the clear text. This is pretty advanced astrophysics, but it's excellently described at the appropriate level for upper-elementary space enthusiasts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
(4)
4-6
Great Minds of Science series.
These biographies explore their subjects' early years, scientific discoveries, and innovative accomplishments that still affect modern life today. Five easy-to-read chapters are enhanced with sidebars, illustrations, photos, and diagrams; "Straight to the Source" sections include primary-source material. The numerous prompts for critical thinking through writing, discussion, and online research may distract general researchers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Minds of Science titles: Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, and Temple Grandin.
75 pp.
| Charlesbridge
| February, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-57091-783-7$18.95
(1)
4-6
Illustrated by
Michael Carroll.
In this captivating book on black holes, complicated abstract ideas are logically ordered and clarified in an inviting conversational style and with inspired uses of reasoning and analogies perfectly attuned to the target audience. Well-designed layouts include illustrations, historical images, helpful diagrams, and humorous text bubbles that add levity while underscoring major concepts. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind.
Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2012
(4)
YA
Mysteries of the Universe series.
These books explore concepts in astronomy through historical accounts of scientists and their contributions to the field, as well as technological advancements that led to major discoveries. The large color illustrations feature past and present scientists as well as images from space. Additional text boxes contain references to film, literature, and applied technologies. The tiny type is frustrating. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mysteries of the Universe titles: Stars, Galaxies, and Black Holes.