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(1)
4-6
Twelve-year-old "amateur creative astronomer" Liberty Johansen thinks of her parents' separation as their family's "free fall from space." Then a meteorite does fall from space and begins communicating with her. The meteorite offers comfort, as Liberty worries about her younger sister, her own mental health, and the whole boy-girl thing. King (Me and Marvin Gardens; Dig.) is keenly attuned to her characters' humanity; her narrative voice and just-this-side-of-realism setting uniquely her own.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2019
32 pp.
| Quarto/Foster Jr.
| April, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-63322-509-1$16.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-63322-508-4
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Nila Aye.
Young children are introduced to Draco, the Big Dipper, and some less-familiar constellations in this sturdy heavyweight-page book. Very simple text describes an array of children and pets imagining themselves as constellations (e.g., kitten Luna "practices her roar" beneath Leo). Yellow stars and white lines (filled in with glossy black) are used to depict each constellation on the matte black backgrounds.
214 pp.
| Phaidon
| November, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7148-7772-3$24.95
(3)
4-6
This comprehensive guide provides aspiring astronomers and stargazers with a wealth of information about the constellations of both hemispheres. Readers will be tempted to jump right to constellation-searching but should start at the beginning for some contextual history and science. The illustrations are largely aqua and gold on navy backgrounds and have a neat retro aesthetic. Back matter includes extensive star maps. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
408 pp.
| Little
| April, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-316-34856-0$16.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-316-34855-3
(3)
4-6
Young Honorine has been the Vidalia family's maid for as long as she can remember. When she comes across a book that brings constellations to life and attracts sky pirates, she embarks on a swashbuckling adventure on a flying ship and learns there's more to her past than she thought. An original and spirited steampunk-meets-mythology adventure featuring an inventive, clever heroine.
40 pp.
| Peter Pauper
| April, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4413-1881-7$16.99
(3)
K-3
What makes young bear Ursa different from her peers? Her imagination, which leads her to believe that she can learn to fly. Although various methods fail her, she ultimately finds a way to soar. The story is further elevated by multifaceted art that features diagrams, background cityscapes, and Ursa's little brother's rotation of T-shirts with encouraging sayings ("Fly," "Believe," etc.).
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
S. M. Saelig.
In a dream fantasy, a white winged horse carries a young girl on a journey through the night sky. Facts about stars and constellations are woven into the narrative, though the copious information slows the pace of the story. The soft-focus illustrations bring the fantastic text to life.
72 pp.
| Houghton
| December, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-544-76300-5$19.99 New ed. (1954)
(3)
K-3
Each of these new editions, which had previously been updated with information about Pluto, features a "bonus online planet locator." Both are fascinating books, full of scientific information, charts and diagrams, and lively illustrations. The "Planet Finder" charts in both are updated through 2026. Glos., ind. Review covers these titles: Find the Constellations and The Stars.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
February, 1955
160 pp.
| Houghton
| December, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-544-76343-2$27.99 New ed. (1952)
(3)
K-3
Each of these new editions, which had previously been updated with information about Pluto, features a "bonus online planet locator." Both are fascinating books, full of scientific information, charts and diagrams, and lively illustrations. The "Planet Finder" charts in both are updated through 2026. Glos., ind. Review covers these titles: Find the Constellations and The Stars.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
October, 1952
24 pp.
| ABDO
| September, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62403-746-7$17.95
(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.
32 pp.
| Philomel
| October, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-25200-6$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mary GrandPré.
Ultimon, the last dragon, lives a sad, lonely subterranean existence, dreaming of "a time when dragons / ruled the waves / And breathed hot flames / In jewel-filled caves." Dragon fanatics might be captivated by Burleigh's overwrought rhyming text and the premise that Ultimon's final glorious flight ends with his transformation into the constellation Draco. GrandPré's dramatic paintings imbue this odd fantasy with drama.
40 pp.
| Candlewick
| July, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-5136-7$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Armin Greder.
A circus bear must dance for crowds that often ill-treat her. Finally she rebels: she runs away (here the story becomes wordless) and climbs a pole that takes her to the sky, where, in a terrific turn, she becomes the constellation Ursa Major. Greder's blacks and browns capture the coldness of the medieval milieu and the townspeople's hearts.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61714-687-9$27.07
(4)
K-3
Buddy Books: The Universe series.
Readers with some background knowledge of the universe will enjoy learning very general facts about the four types of title phenomena. The texts are bland and, while informative, they sometimes use vocabulary beyond the level of the casual reader. Satellite, telescopic, and computer-generated images enhance the presentations. Glos., ind. Review covers these Buddy Books: The Universe titles: Black Holes, Constellations, Eclipses, and Galaxies.
362 pp.
| Candlewick
| May, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-3982-2$17.99
(2)
4-6
During the 1950s polio epidemic, eleven-year-old Georgie obsesses about the disease. Imagine her fascination when her new teenage neighbor, Phyllis, is in an iron lung. But is Phyllis a helpless prisoner, or is she like a spider reaching out for prey? While the historical setting may be foreign to today's readers, Georgie's loneliness and her search for answers are universal.
Reviewer: Betty Carter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2010
32 pp.
| Dutton
| May, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-525-47938-3$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Kristina Swarner.
At bedtime, Rose rides a tawny, comfortable-looking lion into the sky, where they "Swoop through outer space" and play among the constellations. When a black hole threatens to swallow them up, Rose uses a comet tail to lasso Cetus, the whale constellation, and he tows them to safety. Attractive textured illustrations in deep, rich colors accompany this fantasy's singsongy rhymes.
112 pp.
| Simon/Aladdin
| January, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4169-4857-5$10.99
(4)
4-6
Kennedy Center Presents: Capital Kids series.
Illustrated by
Ard Hoyt.
After finding a mysterious scrap of paper in a copy of Treasure Island, Archie, Kermit, and Ethel, children of President Teddy Roosevelt, search for treasure in the White House. Though the mystery is contrived, the story (based on a Kennedy Center–commissioned play) provides some interesting historical facts about the Roosevelts and the White House.
160 pp.
| Houghton
| September, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-13279-2$27.00
|
PaperISBN 978-0-547-13280-8$11.95 New ed. (1952)
(2)
K-3
This book, newly revised and updated, "is meant for people who...want to be able to go out at night and find the major constellations, for the pleasure of it." Rey presents the constellations' stars with connecting lines that make pictures of Hercules, Pegasus, etc., for ease of visualization. It's a fascinating book, full of scientific information, charts, and lively illustrations. Bib., glos., ind.
72 pp.
| Houghton
| September, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-13140-5$20.00
|
PaperISBN 978-0-547-13178-8$9.99 New ed. (1954)
(2)
K-3
Readers will certainly want to "find the constellations" after reading even a few pages of this enthralling newly updated book. Rey's directions for locating stars are so clear anyone can follow them. There are many diagrams and illustrations, including "Sky-Views" showing the heavens throughout the year and a "Planet Finder" updated through 2016. Reading list. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Houghton
| April, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-618-71714-9$17.00
(4)
K-3
Little dog Tupelo and her sock toy are abandoned one day. In their search for somewhere to belong, they encounter a group of dogs who pray to the star Sirius for a home--but a sacrifice is required. The many story elements can be hard to follow, but watercolor and mixed-media illustrations, full of motion and emotion, help bring them together.
144 pp.
| Kids Can
| April, 2004
|
TradeISBN 1-55337-357-X$$19.95
|
PaperISBN 1-55337-128-3$$12.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Heather Collins.
With a consistently encouraging tone, the considerable scientific material in this guide is augmented by legends and projects as the topics shift from skywatching tips to the moon, stars, four seasons, and planets. The authors generally succeed in explaining phenomena without jargon, aided by numerous charcoal and violet-toned illustrations. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| National
| February, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-7922-6332-4$$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Christina Balit.
This book summarizes the myths associated with ten constellations, from Cassiopeia to Argo. Each double-page spread illustrates its constellation, with figures surrounding the foil silver stars embedded in a night sky. Additional information concludes the text, and endpapers map the northern and southern skies. The book succeeds artistically but is too slight to be an astronomy guide.