The Coolest Job in the Universe

December 1, 2012

Gr 4-6-The differences between the previous series, "Countdown to Space" and "Space Flight Adventures and Disasters," and these updated versions would appear to be the inclusion of more recent events in the field, updated website listings, and superior photography. All of the books reflect careful research and meticulous attention to detail. Eye on the Universe discusses the initial difficulties with the Hubble telescope and the missions that repaired it, allowing scientists to see planets in galaxies 13 billion light years away. Coolest Job focuses on the construction of the ISS, what life is like onboard, and the importance of the research projects conducted. Danger in Space chronicles the drama of the Apollo 13 mission, whose goal of a Moon landing changed to one of survival. Space Shuttle Disaster deals with the tragedy up front, and then backtracks to the causes. Spacewalk explains how this event paved the way for missions to the Moon, and Walking on the Moon relives that momentous event. Throughout, the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of the astronauts are emphasized. The texts are not bogged down with excessive scientific terminology.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2012
Grades 5-8 What's it like to eat and sleep in zero gravity? The books in the American Space Missions: Astronauts, Exploration, and Discovery series give kids here on Earth an inside look at the cosmos. The design of these titles is straightforward and clean, with four to six chapters broken up by headings, plus amazing photos taken on location in space, including a wow shot of the farside of the Moon. The Coolest Job in the Universe doesn't come without its challenges. The International Space Station can be a dangerous place, as dust-size meteorites whip by space walkers at 17,500 miles per hour (luckily, astronauts wear suits made of Kevlar, Teflon, and aluminum Mylar). Detailed chapter notes and further reading make this an excellent choice for upper-elementary and middle-school students wanting to learn aboutand imagine themselves inthe final frontier.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2013
From [cf2]Gemini 4[cf1]'s twenty-three-minute spacewalk in 1965 to the International Space Station's future potential, these revised, redesigned, and re-titled books each focus on a specific mission, its crew, and its accomplishments and costs. Archival photographs and diagrams support the accessible texts, providing a basic overview of the triumphs and tragedies of U.S. space exploration to date. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)