(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jessica Lanan. Manley presents a smart, careful, and thorough discussion of exoplanets. Lanan's illustrations take the concepts to the next level; the choices of scale, color, and detail in her planetary landscapes make visible the text's content. The clever use of a parallel visual narrative, which features a (brown-skinned) girl and her family visiting a planetarium, situates the images of possible other life-supporting worlds in that character's imagination. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(3) 4-6 Prominent objects from our galaxy are assigned superlatives like "strangest," "largest," "brightest," and "weirdest" to introduce readers to nebulae, exoplanets, stars, and star clusters. The chapters then delve into deeper scientific discussions such as the formation of the universe, discovery of exoplanets, and contributions of prominent astronomers. Images include artistic renditions of distant planetary surfaces, as well as colorful telescope images. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Could life exist on other planets? Simon explains how new techniques and technologies have accelerated astronomers' search for Milky Way planets beyond our own solar system, leading to the discovery of planets that might be within the "habitable zone" of distant stars. Large, excellent images of telescopes, near and distant planets, and the imagined surfaces of possible future discoveries are included. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Kenney introduces the evidence for exoplanets, planets beyond our solar system; the narrative then provides detailed descriptions of current methods of detection and the advancements in telescopes that allow these careful measurements. Profiles of various exoplanets highlight the possibilities for life on some of them. Photos, color renderings, and diagrams help elucidate the text. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Photographs by Mike Taylor. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, tells the story of its formation and composition. Factual sidebars provide additional scientific information about stars, light, dark matter, and other elements of the universe. The well-captioned illustrations combine photographs of starry skies from a human perspective, views of distant galaxies, and artists' interpretations of what the far reaches of the universe may look like.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Buddy Books: The Universe series. Readers interested in outer space will enjoy learning about several lesser-known members of the universe in these bland but clear books. Each celestial object is explained using simple text and colorful satellite, telescopic, and computer-generated images. Students will learn what defines each subject and how scientists study them. Occasionally terms are explained too generally or not at all. Glos., ind. Review covers these Buddy Books: The Universe titles: Asteroids, Comets, and Meteoroids, Dwarf Planets, The Kuiper Belt, The Milky Way, The Moon, and The Solar System.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(2) 4-6 The author thoroughly describes the work of the well-known SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) Institute, but it is her discussion of scientists and their research in the fields of planetary geology, astronomy, exobiology, and mathematics that makes the book unique. Well-placed color photos and illustrations accompany the clear text. Websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2005

(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) 4-6 Seven myths (ancient Greek, Japanese, Navajo, Australian aboriginal, Maori, Kalahari San, and native Argentinian) explain the origin of the Milky Way. All the tales are short and accessible, but some are more interesting and have stronger story lines than others. Altogether, they provide a thought-provoking cross-cultural experience. The pencil illustrations are of varying quality. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Suzy Schmidt