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

Brunner, Kym. Flip the Bird.

Brunner, Kym.  Flip the Bird.  Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt Brace  2016  357p  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-544-80085-4  Hardback  ms/hs  Realistic fiction  VG  

Fourteen-year-old Mercer Buddie is determined to prove to his master-falconer father and brother Lincoln that he can be just as serious and successful a falconer as they are. Then he meets Lucy, a hot girl with a great personality. With adolescent hormones raging, he is set to impress her and claim her as his girlfriend. Then Mercer realizes that Lucy and her family are members of HALT, a fanatical activist animal-rights organization. With his mother being the head of a research department trying to find cures for cancer by testing medications on dogs, and his passion for falconry, he is faced with moral and ethical dilemmas that make him think about what is right. When his family’s history in falconry is revealed to the group, Mercer must face the ensuing consequences.

This well-written, fast-paced book will delight adolescent readers. The plot is filled with tension that bounces between animal rights, ethics, morals, and young teenage minds and antics. It is further complicated by the protagonist’s passion for falconry, which contradicts the beliefs of his girlfriend and her fixated parents. This book introduces a new and refreshing story. There are not many novels about falconry or animal-rights activists. Brunner has captured the experience of being an adolescent boy and juxtaposed it with an original plot. A warning, though: this book is not for the faint of heart, as accurate but brutal aspects of hunting and falconry are described. It is highly recommended for any middle- or high-school library and will appeal to adolescent readers. 

Summary: Fourteen-year-old Mercer Buddie is determined to prove to his father and brother that he can be a serious falconer, but when he meets Lucy, who is a part of HALT, a fanatical activist animal-rights organization, he must make a decision about his own beliefs and face the consequences of his involvement with her and the HALT group.     

Falconry-Fiction, Animal rights-Fiction                     —Virginia McGarvey

Carson, Mary Kay. Mission To Pluto.

Carson, Mary Kay.  Mission To Pluto.  Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt Brace  2016   73p  $18.99  ISBN 978-0-544-41671-0  (Series: Scientists in the Field) Hardback   elem/ms  Nonfiction  E-BNS

This book tells the story of the development of the New Horizons robotic spacecraft that traveled to the dwarf planet Pluto.  The text is written in a conversational manner and is enjoyable to read, and the facts are presented chronologically and fully. The book discusses how the project was repeatedly put on hold. Many items on the spacecraft had to be specially made to be both light and extremely durable. New Horizons travels so far away that help from earth is impossible, so the spacecraft has to be able to fix itself.
  

The book includes charts and tables and excellent photographs. In addition, a two-page listing of “Words to Know” and a list of web sites for further information are included, as well as a selected bibliography and index.
 

The text is excellent. However, this reviewer has a concern with the publisher’s choice of color on several pages that use a black background with blue print.  This color combination makes these pages very difficult to read. This is the only detracting feature of Mission to Pluto.

There are at least 27 titles in the Scientists in the Field series. Each title follows scientists through the specific tasks typical of their work. The series is an excellent purchase for students to learn about the work scientists do every day, and it may interest students in future fields of study.  

Summary: This book tells the story of the development of the New Horizons robotic spacecraft that traveled  to the dwarf planet Pluto and is now traveling beyond into the Kuiper Belt.  Grades 4-8.

Space exploration, Pluto                                          —Joan Theal

Jackson, Linda Williams. Midnight Without a Moon.

Jackson, Linda Williams.  Midnight Without a Moon.  Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt Brace 2017  312p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-544-78510-6     Hardback    elem/ms Historical fiction  E-BN

In 1955 Mississippi, thirteen-year-old Rose Lee Carter struggles to understand the complacency of her grandparents’ attitude towards slavery. When a fourteen-year-old African American boy is murdered for supposedly whistling at a white woman one town over, the white suspects are set free despite the overwhelming evidence against them.  Throughout her contemplation of her feelings about slavery and this recent event, she is exposed to bits of information about the Civil Rights movement. She has many confusing feelings as she decides whether to leave the South or join the Civil Rights movement to change it.

This amazing, well-written novel is engaging and very informative. Young readers will become enlightened regarding civil rights, slavery, attitudes, the culture, and family life experienced during the time period of the 1950’s. The plot accurately depicts events and emotions. Furthermore, the vernacular tone adds authenticity to the story. This is a must-read for upper-elementary and middle-school readers because it educates in a sensitive but effective manner.
           

This book is highly recommended as an “Excellent Book of Note” for any elementary or middle-school library because of its accurate and engaging portrayal of history.    

Summary: In 1955 Mississippi, Rose Lee Carter struggles to understand the complacency of her grandparents’ attitude towards slavery and is confused in deciding if she should leave the South or join the Civil Rights movement to change it.

Civil Rights movement-Fiction                         —Virginia McGarvey