Space, Stars, and the Beginning of Time : What the Hubble Telescope Saw by Elaine Scott

For all middle school science fans, this title is a great overview of how we view the world beyond our planet.From the first telescope to the incredible Hubble Space Telescope, though the Big Bang, and all of the black holes, stars, planets, and astronauts in between, there is much to learn about space!

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Amy isn't sure that she agrees with her parents' decision to be frozen for 300 years in order to board a spaceship that is venturing out to colonize a new planet. Her mom's expertise with genetic biology and Dad's military background make them "essential" to the future colony's success. Amy has been given special clearance to accompany her parents as "nonessential cargo." And though she doesn't necessarily agree with the decision, she can't imagine NOT going with her parents . . .

But 250 years later, aboard Godspeed, Amy is woken unexpectedly, prematurely, and perhaps accidentally. Now she's on a spaceship that isn't even going to land for another 50 years, and she feels completely alone. She's frustrated by the weird structure of the population aboard the ship, especially the unbalanced dictatorship of the Eldest. But little-by-little, she learns a bit about the life of those whose entire existence is breathing recycled air, never setting foot on real soil or seeing real stars. And little-by-little she is even more convinced that this life just isn't right.

Across the Universe is the first in a trilogy, completed with A Million Suns and Shades of Earth.
Reviewed by kate the librarian.

Laddertop, volume 1 by Orson Scott Card and Emily Janice Card, illustrated by Honoel A. Ibardolaza

Years ago, aliens came to Earth and provided humans with advanced technology that could power the entire planet. There are four giant towers, called Ladders, that stretch high into space that must be maintained in order to keep the power on. And because of the small tubes and tight spaces, the job requires children. Only the best kids get accepted to Laddertop Academy, and from them only a few get selected to actually participate in going up to the Laddertop stations.

Azure and Robbi are eleven-year-old girls who are best friends, and both are selected into the Academy, where there are weird tests and training to determine who will be selected for the journey to the stations. Who are the aliens, why did they disappear, and why specifically do they need children for their work?

Reviewed by kate the librarian.

Mission Control, This is Apollo : The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon by Andrew Chaikin

Whether or not you already know some about America's space missions to and from our moon, here you'll learn fascinating tidbits of history, science, art, and humankind.  Following an introduction of sorts about all that led to the development of the Apollo missions, there is an overview of each Apollo mission, set up from the viewpoint of the astronauts directly involved.  Complete with photographs, paintings, and inserts about all sorts of things (like, how do the astronauts go to the bathroom in space?!), the reader is treated to the whole picture of space travel -- from before Neil Armstrong's first step, to the many missions and achievements that followed.

Andrew Chaikin's words are supported by awesome images of the people, places, and things associated with the Apollo missions as painted by Alan Bean.  As the reader learns through an introduction as well as image captions and text within the book, Mr. Bean has spent a good part of his life as text pilot, astronaut, and artist, and was aboard the mission that landed him on the moon's surface in 1969.  Alan Bean's space suit and many more artifacts from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions can be seen at the National Air and Space Museum.


For more information on the author, visit his blog.
For more information on the artist, visit his website.


Recommended for all ages: to learn the most interesting things about space travel and the moon, and to gain the motivation to discover even more.
Call number: J 629.454 CHA (Children's Department)

Reviewed by kate the librarian.