(3) 4-6 STEM in the Real World series. This series entry surveys careers in the field of meterology, doing weather prediction, modeling, and even storm chasing. The text also discusses educational requirements; the history of weather prediction, emphasizing the technologies in use over centuries of observation; and the future use of drones, advanced computing, and satellites. Color photographs, first-person quotes, and sidebar activities that emphasize nonfiction literacy are included. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Early Bird Astronomy series. Short, accessible chapters offer an introduction to planets. Each planet's position in the solar system is noted, with particular information paid to its unique features (e.g., Saturn's rings, Jupiter's clouds). Accurate information about data-gathering equipment such as the Voyagers is also included. Colorful captioned illustrations (some shared within the series) and less effective stock photos illustrate the texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Early Bird Astronomy titles: Jupiter, Pluto, Saturn, and Earth.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Earth's Spheres series. Vogt provides thorough and well-organized explanations of major concepts and theories in geology, geophysics, planetary science, and meteorology at a level appropriate for sophisticated middle-grade readers. Particularly useful are the color diagrams and illustrations that help readers with the temporal and spatial demands of the geological content. Additional text boxes provide typical supplementary information on scientists and tangential science concepts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Earth's Spheres titles: The Atmosphere, Earth's Core and Mantle, and The Lithosphere.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Earth's Spheres series. Vogt provides thorough and well-organized explanations of major concepts and theories in geology, geophysics, planetary science, and meteorology at a level appropriate for sophisticated middle-grade readers. Particularly useful are the color diagrams and illustrations that help readers with the temporal and spatial demands of the geological content. Additional text boxes provide typical supplementary information on scientists and tangential science concepts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Earth's Spheres titles: The Atmosphere, Earth's Core and Mantle, and The Lithosphere.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Earth's Spheres series. Vogt provides thorough and well-organized explanations of major concepts and theories in geology, geophysics, planetary science, and meteorology at a level appropriate for sophisticated middle-grade readers. Particularly useful are the color diagrams and illustrations that help readers with the temporal and spatial demands of the geological content. Additional text boxes provide typical supplementary information on scientists and tangential science concepts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Earth's Spheres titles: The Atmosphere, Earth's Core and Mantle, and The Lithosphere.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Covering many of the known disasters and accidents of both the U.S. and Russian space programs (information about the Russian program is often difficult to obtain), this book offers detailed accounts of the events themselves, and, when known, their causes. NASA, Soviet, and stock photographs are used to illustrate the text, which, though sometimes dense, will not hamper space enthusiasts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) K-3 Galaxy series. These series books briefly explore four different aspects of space science, relying heavily on dry figures and measurements to describe mostly unfamiliar planets and moons. Report writers will find accessible facts and comparisons within these pages. Colorful diagrams and NASA photos illustrate the volumes; some are repeated from book to book. Each ends with a "Hands On" activity. Directory, reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Galaxy titles: Constellations, The Milky Way, Moons, and The Solar System.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Galaxy series. These series books briefly explore four different aspects of space science, relying heavily on dry figures and measurements to describe mostly unfamiliar planets and moons. Report writers will find accessible facts and comparisons within these pages. Colorful diagrams and NASA photos illustrate the volumes; some are repeated from book to book. Each ends with a "Hands On" activity. Directory, reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Galaxy titles: Constellations, The Milky Way, Moons, and The Solar System.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Galaxy series. These series books briefly explore four different aspects of space science, relying heavily on dry figures and measurements to describe mostly unfamiliar planets and moons. Report writers will find accessible facts and comparisons within these pages. Colorful diagrams and NASA photos illustrate the volumes; some are repeated from book to book. Each ends with a "Hands On" activity. Directory, reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Galaxy titles: Constellations, The Milky Way, Moons, and The Solar System.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Galaxy series. These series books briefly explore four different aspects of space science, relying heavily on dry figures and measurements to describe mostly unfamiliar planets and moons. Report writers will find accessible facts and comparisons within these pages. Colorful diagrams and NASA photos illustrate the volumes; some are repeated from book to book. Each ends with a "Hands On" activity. Directory, reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Galaxy titles: Constellations, The Milky Way, Moons, and The Solar System.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Vogt provides a history of the U.S. space flight program framed around the various patches worn on the garments of the astronauts involved. The connections between the patch designs and the backgrounds or purposes of the missions will intrigue space exploration fans. Black-and-white and color photos are included along with photos or drawings of the various patches. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) 4-6 A survey of space calamities includes the expected events, such as the Challenger explosion and Apollo 13's close call but also touches on several lesser-known Soviet mishaps and tragedies, some of which were not made public until years after the fact. Illustrated with average-quality color photographs, the book contains fascinating information, though the rushed prose is often flat in quality. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Galaxy series. These are adequate, up-to-date discussions about the nine planets and the sun in our solar system. Color photos and diagrams are well chosen; the stilted texts contain a few questionable or ambiguous word choices but are generally accurate. In addition to a list of Internet sites and addresses, each volume includes a simple activity to demonstrate physical concepts such as magnetic fields or the phases of the moon. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) K-3 Galaxy series. These are adequate, up-to-date discussions about the nine planets and the sun in our solar system. Color photos and diagrams are well chosen; the stilted texts contain a few questionable or ambiguous word choices but are generally accurate. In addition to a list of Internet sites and addresses, each volume includes a simple activity to demonstrate physical concepts such as magnetic fields or the phases of the moon. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) K-3 Galaxy series. These are adequate, up-to-date discussions about the nine planets and the sun in our solar system. Color photos and diagrams are well chosen; the stilted texts contain a few questionable or ambiguous word choices but are generally accurate. In addition to a list of Internet sites and addresses, each volume includes a simple activity to demonstrate physical concepts such as magnetic fields or the phases of the moon. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) K-3 Galaxy series. These are adequate, up-to-date discussions about the nine planets and the sun in our solar system. Color photos and diagrams are well chosen; the stilted texts contain a few questionable or ambiguous word choices but are generally accurate. In addition to a list of Internet sites and addresses, each volume includes a simple activity to demonstrate physical concepts such as magnetic fields or the phases of the moon. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) K-3 Galaxy series. These are adequate, up-to-date discussions about the nine planets and the sun in our solar system. Color photos and diagrams are well chosen; the stilted texts contain a few questionable or ambiguous word choices but are generally accurate. In addition to a list of Internet sites and addresses, each volume includes a simple activity to demonstrate physical concepts such as magnetic fields or the phases of the moon. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) K-3 Galaxy series. These are adequate, up-to-date discussions about the nine planets and the sun in our solar system. Color photos and diagrams are well chosen; the stilted texts contain a few questionable or ambiguous word choices but are generally accurate. In addition to a list of Internet sites and addresses, each volume includes a simple activity to demonstrate physical concepts such as magnetic fields or the phases of the moon. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) 4-6 Countdown to Space series. These are detailed, readable histories of the U.S. space program. The purposes and personal aspects of the missions are thoroughly covered, and the rewards and the dangers of space exploration are recounted. (Spacechimp contains a few misleading statements). The accessible texts are accompanied by plenty of well-captioned photos and diagrams, though the book design is busy. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) 4-6 Countdown to Space series. These are detailed, readable histories of the U.S. space program. The purposes and personal aspects of the missions are thoroughly covered, and the rewards and the dangers of space exploration are recounted. (Spacechimp contains a few misleading statements). The accessible texts are accompanied by plenty of well-captioned photos and diagrams, though the book design is busy. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs