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2010: Odyssey Two
Against Infinity
Alan Mendelsohn, The Boy from Mars
Contact: A Novel
The Drop in My Drink: The Story of Water
on Our Planet
Einstein Anderson Lights Up the Sky
Einstein Anderson Makes Up for Lost
Time
Einstein Anderson Tells a Comet’s
Tale
The Faces of CETI
In the Beginning: Creation Stories from
Around the World
The Jupiter Theft
Planet of Exile
The Planet of Junior Brown
The Planets
Space Songs
Star Tales: North American Indian Stories
Stinker from Space
They Dance in the Sky: Native American Star Myths
The Three Astronauts
To Space and Back
The Worst Band in the Universe
2010: Odyssey Two
by Arthur C. Clarke
Ballantine Books, New York. 1982
Grades: 10–Adult
This complex, mysterious, and thought-provoking sequel to
Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey had the benefit of
being written subsequent to the Voyager mission. There are fascinating
observations, accurate scientific information, and lots of interesting
speculation about Jupiter and its moons throughout the book, not
to mention spirits of intergalactic intelligence and Jupiter becoming
a second sun.
Against Infinity
by Gregory Benford
Simon & Schuster, New York. 1983
Grades: 10–Adult
This science fiction novel is an account of human settlement
on Jupiter’s largest moon, Ganymede. The story takes place
several hundred years into the colonization process, and begins
from the perspective of a 13-year-old boy whose father is one
of the leaders of the settlement. The author is a Professor of
Physics at the University of California, Irvine.
Alan Mendelsohn, The Boy from Mars
by Daniel M. Pinkwater
Dutton, New York, 1979
Grades: 5–8
Leonard's life at his new junior high is just barely tolerable
until he becomes friends with the unusual Alan and shares an extraordinary
adventure with him.
Contact: A Novel
by Carl Sagan
Simon & Schuster, New York. 1985
Grades: 7–Adult
When a message from outer space is detected by a worldwide
system of radio telescopes, astrophysicist Ellie Arroway decodes
it and builds the machine for which the message gave instructions.
Then she and others of a small multi-national team board the machine
and take an amazing trip to outer space for the most awesome encounter
in human history.
The Drop in My Drink: The Story of Water
on Our Planet
by Meredith Hooper; illustrated by Chris Coady
Viking Press, New York. 1998
Grades: 6–9
Here is the amazing and ever-changing story of water—where
it comes from, how it behaves, why it matters—and the crucial
role it has played throughout life on Earth. The eye-catching
illustrations are realistic and thought-provoking.
Einstein Anderson Lights Up the
Sky
by Seymour Simon; illustrated by Fred Winkowski
Viking Press, New York. 1982
Grades: 4–7
In Chapter 2, "The World in His Hands," Einstein
punctures his friend Stanley’s plan to build a scale model
of the solar system in his basement. He discusses the relative
sizes of the Sun and the planets and the distances between them.
In Chapter 5, "The Stars Like Grains of Sand," Einstein
enlightens his younger brother Dennis about the star population.
Einstein Anderson Makes Up for Lost
Time
by Seymour Simon; illustrated by Fred Winkowski
Viking Penguin, New York. 1981
Grades: 4–7
Chapter 6 poses the question "How can Einstein tell a
planet from a star without using a telescope?" He explains
to his friend Dennis that although stars twinkle, planets usually
shine with a steady light. Looking through the telescope, he thinks
the steady light he sees is Jupiter. The four faint points of
steady light nearby are Jupiter’s moons.
Einstein Anderson Tells a Comet’s
Tale
by Seymour Simon; illustrated by Fred Winkowski
Viking Press, New York. 1981
Grades: 4–7
Chapter 1, "Tale of the Comet" provides some very
interesting information about possible connections between comets,
asteroids, and dinosaurs. Even though the book was published in
1981, the information is still accurate.
The Faces of CETI
by Mary Caraker
Houghton Mifflin, Boston. 1991
Grades: 6–12
In this science fiction thriller, colonists from Earth form
two settlements on adjoining planets of the Tau Ceti system. One
colony tries to survive by dominating the natural forces that
they encounter, while those who land on the planet Ceti apply
sound ecological principles and strive to live harmoniously in
their new environment. Nonetheless, the Cetians encounter a terrible
dilemma—the only edible food on the planet appears to be
a species of native animals called the Hlur. Two teen-age colonists
risk their lives in a desperate effort to save their fellow colonists
from starvation without killing the gentle Hlur.
In the Beginning: Creation Stories
from Around the World
by Virginia Hamilton; illustrated by Barry Moser
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, San Diego. 1988
Grades: All
An illustrated collection of twenty-five legends that explain
the creation of the world, with commentary placing the myth geographically
and by type of myth tradition such as "world parent,"
"creation from nothing," and "separation of earth
and sky." Some of the selections are extracted from larger
works such as Popol Vuh or the Icelandic Eddas. Makes a great
connection to Activity 3, Session 1 in which the formation of
the solar system is discussed.
The Jupiter Theft
by Donald Moffitt
Ballantine Books, New York. 1977
Grades: 7–Adult
Strange, advanced beings from somewhere near the constellation
of Cygnus encounter a Jupiter expedition from Earth. The Cygnans
want to take Jupiter away to use as a power source as they migrate
through the universe. There is some graphic violence as various
life forms attack and/or ally with each other, but in general
the focus is on scientific speculation. The book has a wealth
of cogent speculation on the possibilities and varieties of life
on other worlds.
Planet of Exile
by Ursula LeGuin
Ace Books, New York. 1966
Grades: 6–Adult
Cooperation is the central theme of this thin but gripping
book about the clash of three cultures—two that have inhabited
this harsh planet for eons, and the one that has been exiled only
a few generations. Difficult seasonal conditions on the planet
are the result of how long it takes for the planet to revolve
once around its central star. Because one "year" is
equivalent to many Earth years, people only live through a very
small number of winters.
The Planet of Junior Brown
by Virginia Hamilton
Macmillan Publishing, New York. 1971
Grades: 5–12
This unusual and moving book begins with three people (two
students who regularly cut 8th grade classes and a school custodian
who was formerly a teacher) in a secret room in a school basement
with a working model of the solar system. The model has one incredible
addition—a giant planet named for one of the students, Junior
Brown. How can the Earth’s orbit not be affected by this
giant planet? Is there a belt of asteroids that balances it all
out? How does this relate to equilateral triangles? From these
subjects, the universe of the book expands outward into the Manhattan
streets and inward into the hearts, minds, and friendship of the
two students who are both African-American. After the first chapter,
the solar system becomes more metaphor than scientific model,
until the end of the book when the real model must be dismantled
and the three must find a way to help Junior Brown and to affirm
their solidarity against all odds. Powerfully and poetically written,
this book humanizes the statistics about homelessness and the
educational crisis in a profound and unforgettable way.
The Planets
edited by Byron Preiss
Bantam Books, New York. 1985
Grades: 8–Adult
This extremely rich, high-quality anthology pairs a non-fiction
essay with a fictional work about the Earth, Moon, each of the
planets, and asteroids and comets. Introductory essays are by
Issac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and others. The material is dazzlingly
illustrated with color photographs from the archives of NASA and
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and paintings by astronomical artists
such as the movie production designers of 2001 and Star Wars.
Space Songs
by Myra Cohn Livingston; illustrated by Leonard E. Fisher
Holiday House, New York. 1988
Grades: 5–12
Series of short poems about aspects of outer space including
the Milky Way, Moon, Sun, stars, planets, comets, meteorites,
asteroids, and satellites. Although the astronomy content is limited,
it is accurate. The black background illustrations are dynamic
and involving.
Star Tales: North American Indian Stories
retold and illustrated by Gretchen W. Mayo
Walker & Co., New York. 1987
Grades: 5–12
The nine legends in this collection explain observations of
the stars, Moon, and night sky. Accompanying each tale is information
about the constellation or other heavenly observation and how
various peoples perceived it.
Stinker from Space
by Pamela F. Service
Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. 1988
Ballantine Books, New York. 1989
Grades: 5–8
A girl encounters an extraterrestrial being who has had to
inhabit the body of a skunk after an emergency landing. The girl
and a neighbor boy help the skunk, Tsynq Yr (Stinker), to evade
his enemies, the Zarnks, and get an important message to his own
people. Stinker’s departure from Earth involves "borrowing"
the space shuttle.
They Dance in the Sky: Native American
Star Myths
by Jean Guard Monroe and Ray A. Williamson
Houghton Mifflin, Boston. 1987
Grades: 2–8
This book, which is great for reading aloud, includes stories
from many Native American regions and peoples. Stories about the
Pleiades, the Big Dipper, and the "Star Beings" are
particularly noteworthy, but all are imaginative and intriguing.
Stories like these from Native American and other world cultures
can be interwoven with astronomy activities, provide a sense of
careful observation over time, and highlight how the stars and
planets have always inspired the human imagination.
The Three Astronauts
by Umberto Eco; illustrated by Eugenio Carmi
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, San Diego. 1989
Grades: K–5
An American, a Russian, and a Chinese astronaut take off separately
in their own rockets with the goal of being first on Mars. They
all land at the same time, immediately distrusting each other.
When they encounter a Martian their cultural differences disappear
as they unite against him. In a surprise happy ending, they recognize
the humanity of the Martian after observing his charity toward
a baby bird and extend this understanding to differences between
all peoples. Younger children may not get the full benefit of
the sophisticated illustrations and humor. The astronauts are
all male, with no women characters or references.
To Space and Back
by Sally Ride with Susan Okie
Lothrop, Lee and Shepard/Morrow, New York. 1986
Grades: 4–7
This is a fascinating description of what it is like to travel
in space—to live, sleep, eat, and work in conditions unlike
anything we know on Earth, complete with colored photographs aboard
ship and in space. The astronauts conducted a number of scientific
experiments as they observed and photographed the stars, the Earth,
the planets, and galaxies. Working outside the shuttle, they feel
the warmth of the Sun through their gloves, but cool off on the
dark side of Earth in the shade.
The Worst Band in the Universe: A Totally
Cosmic Musical Adventure (with CD)
by Graeme Base
Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, 1999
Grades 4–9
This wonderfully illustrated, poetic, and highly amusing book/recording
takes place in a distant planetary system. Accused of the crime
of "musical innovation" 13-year-old Sprocc, a Splingtwanger-player,
departs Blipp, his home planet. He is tricked into entering a
Worst Band contest that strands him on remote Wastedump B19, then
helps build a music-driven spaceship, which gets him back to Blipp
in time for a high-volume, onstage face-off with the power-mad
Musical Inquisitor. Complete with a CD of music composed and performed
by Base himself, this whimsical science fiction journey is a true
marvel.
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