(3) K-3 Illustrated by Graham Carter. For fourteen-and-a-half years, the Mars rover Opportunity, nicknamed Oppy, traveled over the surface of the red planet sending information back to scientists on Earth. Perhaps "her" most famous discovery was evidence of the one-time existence of groundwater on Mars. This cheerful picture book features an anthropomorphized Oppy, eyes wide open, magnifying glass in hand, doing scientific research until a dust storm ends her successful run. Digital cartoon-style illustrations use shades of red, pink, and magenta. McGowan's account of Oppy's work is accompanied by solid, accessible information about the NASA project. Back matter includes photographs, an author's note, and a list of sources.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth