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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
48 pp.
| Candlewick
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-6596-8$17.99
(2)
K-3
In this circular, layered wordless tale about loss and the cycle of life, a girl buries a beloved dog, then throws a rock into the ocean. Viewers are then swept back in time, witnessing a meteor strike. Through centuries, the meteorite becomes progressively smaller until the girl picks it up to throw. Becker uses gold to identify the meteorite's iterations in sumptuous, cinematic spreads.
Reviewer: Julie Danielson
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2018
(4)
YA
Grant follows up his Gone series with this trilogy-starter. Four years after kids survived a meteorite strike in the FAYZ (Fallout Alley Youth Zone), new meteorites are hitting Earth. This time, the alien virus causes a sudden onset of powers that come with a monstrous price. Not-so-ordinary teens, government masterminds, and alien forces fight to control humanity in this fast-paced if uninspired dystopian thriller.
(2)
4-6
Scientists in the Field series.
Photographs by
Karin Anderson.
Impact profiles a collection of astronomers, geologists, and meteorite hunters to examine the history of asteroid strikes on Earth and gauge the risks of future encounters. It also includes a fascinating look at technologies proposed or being developed to protect Earth from a major impact. The volume prominently features research methods and tools, along with excellent photographs, diagrams, maps, and artistic renderings. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2018
(4)
1-3
Igor's Lab of Fear series.
Illustrated by
Igor Šinkovec.
Professor Igor welcomes readers into his Laboratory of Fear for this collection of creepy chapter books. Each simplistic horror story tries to be more than your usual fright fest with teaching moments augmented by appended "Lab Notes," discussion questions ("Does this story have a moral?"), and writing prompts. The black-and-white illustrations help set a scary tone without being overly explicit. Glos. Review covers these Igor's Lab of Fear titles: Blood Shark, A Jar of Eyeballs, Ooze Is It?, and Werewolf Skin.
32 pp.
| Blue Apple
| November, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1-60905-252-2$17.99
(3)
K-3
In her third behind-the-scenes museum book, Hartland describes the origins of a slice of meteorite displayed in the American Museum of Natural History. She cumulatively introduces the myriad people who encountered the meteorite, from the teenager whose car was damaged by its falling to the exhibits team who prepared space for it. Informative text and humorously detailed paintings complete the lively presentation.
(3)
YA
Ry, nineteen, is still haunted by gruesome events nine years ago that ended with his father's incarceration, and the narrative shifts between the nightmarish past and the present day in 1981 when a meteorite splits open the prison, freeing Ry's father. With complex characterization and vivid descriptions, this gripping but gory page-turner isn't for the faint of heart.
126 pp.
| Abrams/Amulet
| November, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4197-0398-0$16.95
(2)
YA
Irrepressible Mirka (How Mirka Got Her Sword), an eleven-year-old Orthodox Jewish wannabe warrior, races to rescue Hereville from a meteor strike. A witch transforms the meteorite into a Mirka-clone, and the story is off. Melding fantasy, realism, and imagination in this quirky graphic novel, Deutsch incorporates the particularities of traditional Judaism and the universal foibles of a girl who dreams big but forgets planning ahead.
Reviewer: Robin Brenner
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2012
151 pp.
| Simon
| October, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-9001-7$15.99
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Dan Santat.
Right before winter vacation, a meteorite crashes into a fifth-grade classroom. Out pops a genie who will grant one wish within an hour's time. The kids' suggestions range from thoughtful (peace in the Middle East) to frivolous (a truck full of candy). Gutman's trademark humor and glimmers of thought-provoking subject matter camouflage a slight plot and a bromidic ending.
(2)
4-6
A meteorite crashes into Brady's bedroom, endowing him with extreme strength and endurance. Almost steroidal in its nonstop action and numerous subplots, the book takes the sentiments of its title seriously. Hobbs keeps everything on track by focusing strongly on Brady's friendship with his best friend/cousin and their mutual enjoyment of the well-evoked Black Hills setting.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2008
177 pp.
| Whitman
| April, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-6536-0$15.95
(4)
4-6
Fourteen-year-old Russell, his friend Phoebe and her brother Isaac (who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder), and blind ex-con Legs Leland search for a meteorite discovered by Russell's ancestor in 1856 (relayed in flashbacks). The search for the elusive but valuable "piece of the sky" involves adventure, intrigue, and death. The conclusion is weak, but the readable text is fast paced.
210 pp.
| Chelsea
| May, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 0-8160-5195-X$37.50
(3)
YA
Solar System series.
This exhaustive coverage of planetary science includes cutting edge theory as well as established facts about planet formation and features, recent and historical exploration and technical innovations, and related physical science concepts. The complex explanations and diagrams are very sophisticated and require advanced knowledge in science and mathematics to interpret. They will be thoroughly appreciated by those who can handle it. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Solar System titles: Asteroids, Meteorites, and Comets, The Earth and the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn, Mars, The Sun, Mercury, and Venus, and Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and the Outer Solar System.
112 pp.
| Lerner
| December, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-8225-2861-4$$26.60
(3)
YA
Discovery! series.
This discussion of asteroid impact science is really a history of a relatively new scientific field, presenting an absorbing account of major discoveries and theoretical advances, as well as current areas of controversy and speculation. Attractive photos, diagrams, and artists' interpretations illustrate descriptions of impacts, the mass extinctions they may have initiated, and attempts to predict the next big one. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Tricycle
| August, 2003
|
TradeISBN 1-58246-107-4$$15.95
(4)
K-3
The immensity of time and space is invoked in this provocative if self-conscious story, told with a minimum of text, about a small meteorite's fall to earth. It waits for millions of years until a modern-day boy finds it and sends it to NASA to shoot back into space. Majestic views of outer space and craggy earth beaches prevail in Lewis's arresting paintings.
48 pp.
| Benchmark
| September, 2000
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-1034-1$$22.79
(4)
4-6
Kaleidoscope series.
A few minor errors in text or illustration mar these books, which are otherwise solid, well-written introductions to the topics. The books contain photographs, illustrations, and diagrams that are clear, captioned, and pertinent to the text. Topics covered include where comets come from, "a planet in disguise" (Pluto), and the life spans of stars. Bib., glos., ind.
64 pp.
| Raintree
| November, 1999
|
LibraryISBN 0-7398-1240-8$$27.11
(4)
4-6
Turnstone Ocean Explorer Book series.
This account tracing the development of a theory for the K/T mass extinction (the one that wiped out the dinosaurs) is written by a researcher involved in the search for an explanation. Important clues from the fossil record, the field, and experimental studies provide compelling evidence for a meteorite impact and insights into the complexity of scientific research. Color photographs and illustrations are interesting but grainy. Bib., glos., ind.