(4) 4-6 Space Race series. This series offers coverage of the major early periods in the American space program and related Soviet missions and astronauts. The formulaic presentation is accessible if not inspired. Missiles explains rocket technology and the early satellites that started the space race; Astronauts profiles historical and contemporary figures mainly, but not exclusively, from the U.S. Photos prominently feature spacecraft, scientists, and astronauts. All but Astronauts include a timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Space Race titles: Astronauts and Cosmonauts, Missiles and Spy Satellites, Project Apollo, Project Gemini, Project Mercury, and Space Stations and Beyond.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 1-3 Magic School Bus Rides Again series. Keesha is applying to astronaut camp, so a trip into space on the Magic School Bus to fix a satellite sounds perfect. Disaster strikes, though, when Keesha tries to take a selfie for her application and accidentally bumps the satellite out of orbit. The latest episode in the rebooted series offers early-chapter-book readers humorous adventure with a good dose of STEM education. Glos.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Secrets of American History series. Illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti. The lively easy-reader series about American history continues to offer beginning readers entertaining and lesser-known facts surrounding popular topics. This edition features stories about the Space Race; secret satellites; and early research about living in space and the effect of gravity on human bodies. Fabbretti's amusing cartoonlike illustrations add an extra level of kid-friendly interest. Facts and a quiz are appended.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(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.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) 1-3 Benji Franklin: Kid Zillionaire series. Illustrated by Matthew Vimislik. Whiz kid Benji helps save the world by using the proceeds from the app he invented to thwart disasters--like Batman, he has cool gadgets and no shortage of money to get adults out of tight situations. These far-fetched new titles are fast paced and mildly entertaining; children recently graduated from Ricky Ricotta will be comfortable with the over-the-top storytelling. Review covers these Benji Franklin: Kid Zillionaire titles: Buying Stocks (And Solid Gold Submarines!) and Investing Well (In Supersonic Spaceships!).

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Super SandCastle: Out of This World series. Each somewhat scattered volume presents facts and definitions that cover the basics of astronomy within and beyond the solar system, including the formation of the universe. Stargazing includes profiles of astronomers throughout history and the technologies of astronomical observation. Brightly colored images of planets, moons, galaxies, etc., shine from black backgrounds. Each book includes a quiz. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Out of this World titles: Moons, Planets, The Universe, and Stargazing.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(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.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(2) YA Lunar Chronicles series. Meyer's fairy-tale/sci-fi hybrid series (Cinder; Scarlet) continues with a "Rapunzel"-inspired story. Cress was taken from her Lunar parents as a baby and forced to live alone on a satellite. But her real loyalty lies with cyborg Cinder, who plans to protect Earth by dethroning Levana. Balanced nicely with Cress's story is Cinder's continuing journey. This multilayered, action-packed page-turner is sure to please series fans.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(4) 4-6 Space Innovations series. These books are packed with information about the history, technology, pioneers, and applications of their subjects. Busy pages include text, photographs, sidebars, and diagrams, all set against monochromatic backgrounds; some of the text and photos are common to both books. The information--from astronomy's beginnings in China to the next generation of space telescopes--is accurate and focused. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Space Innovations titles: Rockets and Satellites.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Countdown to Space series. These books offer histories of some of the space devices developed for military and scientific purposes during the space age. Spacecraft looks at recent missions to four planets; Spy discusses the U.S. and Soviet space race and improvements to instruments. Well-captioned color photographs accompany both texts. A list of Internet addresses is appended to each book. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs