Rusch, Elizabeth. Impact! Asteroids and the Science of Saving the World.

Rusch, Elizabeth. Impact! Asteroids and the Science of Saving the World. Houghton Mifflin/ Harcourt Brace  2018        76p.            $18.99           ISBN 978-0-544-67159-1          ms/hs  Nonfiction  E-BNS         

While asteroids assault our atmosphere on a daily basis with little impact on human lives, there have been some major strikes.  Rusch discusses several of the big hits, including one in Russia in 2013.  She offers a clear look into the activity in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, what can knock an asteroid out of its orbit, and the possibilities of a major Earth collision.  She describes the clues scientists use to discover long-ago impacts and explains the aftereffects of these collisions and the parts they have played in the history of our Earth.  She also examines the processes that scientists are developing that might prevent a major Earth-asteroid collision in the future. 

This book offers an incredible look into the world of asteroids.  The text is clearly written, if a bit more technically advanced than previous books in the series, and the excellent photographs are carefully presented and enhance the text.  The book ends with a section on what students can do, chapter notes, a bibliography of books, a list of web sites for students and teachers, a glossary, and an index.

The series is Scientists In the Field. This exemplary series con various outstanding titles about scientists who work in the natural world and make science and nature study much more accessible and interesting to budding naturalists.  These books offer an incredible look into hidden worlds at the frontiers of human knowledge.  The text is clearly written and the awesome photographs are carefully presented and enhance the text.

Summary: While asteroids assault our atmosphere on a daily basis with little impact on human lives, there have been some major strikes.  Rusch discusses several of the big hits, including one in Russia in 2013.  

Asteroids                                                                               --Susan Ogintz

Rusch, Elizabeth Impact! Asteroids and the Science of Saving the World

Rusch, Elizabeth        Impact! Asteroids and the Science of Saving the World   Houghton Mifflin/ Harcourt Brace  2018   76p     18.99  978-0-544-67159-1         ms/hs             E-BNS 

While asteroids assault our atmosphere on a daily basis with little impact on human lives, there have been some major strikes.  Rusch discusses several of the big hits including one in Russia in 2013.             While asteroids assault our atmosphere on a daily basis with little impact on human lives, there have been some major strikes.  Rusch discusses several of the big hits including one in Russia in 2013.  She offers a clear look into the activity in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, what can knock an asteroid out of its orbit, and the possibilities of a major Earth collision.  She describes the clues scientists use to discover long ago impacts and explains the aftereffects of these collisions and the parts they have played in the history of our Earth.  She also examines the processes scientists are developing that might prevent a major Earth-asteroid collision in the future. 

            This book offers an incredible look into the world of asteroids.  The text is clearly written, if a bit more technically advanced than previous books in the series, and the incredible photographs are carefully presented and enhance the text.  The book ends with a section on what students can do, chapter notes, bibliography of books, web sites for students and teachers, a glossary, and an index.
            Scientists In the Field (HM)#8        The exemplary series contains various outstanding titles about scientists who work in the natural world and make science and nature study much more accessible and interesting to budding naturalists.  These books offer an incredible look into hidden worlds at the frontiers of human knowledge.  The text is clearly written and the awesome photographs are carefully presented and enhance the text.      Ogintz, Susan       Asteroids

Rusch, Elizabeth. Eruption!

Rusch, Elizabeth.  Eruption!  Houghton Mifflin  2013  76p  $18.99  ISBN 978-0-547-50350-9   series: Scientists In the Field #8  ms/hs  Nonfiction  E-BNs 

     

In well-organized and clearly written text, Eruption presents a look at the terrifying results of the eruption of volcanoes across the globe.  It begins with an historical perspective of the eruptions of Nevado del Ruiz that ultimately led to the deaths of 23,000 people in 1985, the gigantic explosion of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines, and that of Mt. Merapi in Indonesia.  The three eruptions are tied together through the actions of the dedicated scientists of the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program who have shared their knowledge with other volcanologists to limit the deaths of the local peoples.  The book vividly evokes these disasters through compelling primary-source material, personal accounts, and eye-catching photographs of the volcanoes.   It ends with a volcanic vocabulary, chapter notes, a extensive bibliography that includes a link to the USGS volcano site, and an index.

Summary: Eruption offers a fascinating look into the unstable world defined by the Ring of Fire.  It is yet another spectacular addition to the outstanding Scientists in the Field series, offering a fascinating look into the unstable world defined by the Ring of Fire.  

Volcanoes                                                         --Susan Ogintz

Rusch, Elizabeth. The Mighty Mars Rover.

Rusch, Elizabeth.  The Mighty Mars Rover.  Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher    80p  $18.99  978-0-547-47881-4  elm/ms      E-BN      

This book provides outstanding color photos and well-written text that focuses on how the 2003 Mars mission was envisioned, engineered and executed.  It should be a sure-fire hit for robotics classes and space exploration reports, especially given the ongoing 2012 Mars mission. It is appropriate for grades 4 and up.  

The point of view is that of Steven Squyres, who has had an interest in science from childhood on through his college years studying geology.  He ultimately was a lead person on the Mars exploration project to determine if there is any water on Mars.  Many instances of teamwork, triumphs and set-backs, and real-life problem solving went into the development of the project and design engineering necessary to create two robots to explore Mars.  The fact that Spirit and Opportunity lasted long after their three-month life expectation is a tribute to the brilliant minds working on the project.  This book demonstrates science and engineering in action, and it may spark an interest in readers in entering those fields.  Photos of the people working on the project as well as transmissions from the rovers bring a sense of immediacy to the text.  

With the current Mars “Curiosity” mission, this book will be in high demand to provide the back story.  Anyone interested in robotics will devour this book in one sitting to find out how scientists were able to program and move the robot through difficult situations.  A mission update, sources, chapter notes, glossary, index and list of references for further reading complete the book. One minor quibble: on page 28 in a photo caption of Scott Maxwell, there appears to be a grammatical mistake: “when I’m about make something happen”.     

This book is strongly recommended wherever robotics are taught or for science classes that study space exploration.  It is an excellent example of science and engineering in action, featuring real-life examples of teamwork and problem solving.                                                       -- Lois McNicol