Destination Space

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simon, Seymour. Destination Space. Singapore: Harper Collins Publishers. 2002 ISBN 0-68816290-8

SUMMARY
Scientist have studied and contemplated forces in the universe for hundreds of years. The Hubble Space Telescope has been orbiting the Earth since 1990. It has taken many incredible photos of our solar system and other far away galaxies. Photos of a star cluster display thousands of yellow stars similar to our own Sun and other red stars near the ends of their lives. Spiral galaxies deep in space and the Milky Way are just some of the intriguing elements of the cosmos being studied by scientists through Hubble’s eyes.  With the launching of the Hubble Space Telescope, scientists have been able to learn that black holes really do exist and that Saturn, whose rings are made of ice chunks of different sizes, displays an aurora caused by a solar wind that sweeps over the planet, much like Earth’s Northern Lights.  These spectacular images are the most amazing ever recorded and help scientists explain in more detail concepts already known, as well as help them develop new ideas and hypothesis about other mysteries of the universe.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Seymour Simon uses clear, concise language to explain complex scientific ideas to children. Do black holes really exist? How long would it take to travel to another galaxy? How long is a light year? What is it that makes up the rings of Saturn? With over two hundred children’s science books to his credit, the author has mastered his craft.  His word choices compares difficult concepts to things that are common in a child’s world: “tadpole-shaped clumps of gasses” “water ice…that whirl…like swarms of tiny moons.” Providing just enough information in each two-page spread, Simon adds beautiful descriptions that evoke wonder and awe. Each photo generates enthusiasm to investigate further and is supported by large print and simple text that helps children comprehend scientific ideas. As an endnote, the author states the fact that scientists now  believe there are more than one hundred billion galaxies, and that each galaxy contains about one hundred billion stars. It boggles the mind when one remembers that each star is a sun, which might very likely support other planets in other solar systems. Who knows what we will find?  This is a very interesting and engaging book for children of all ages.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
ALA Booklist: “An attractive, informative addition to a fine series. One of those ‘must have books for children’s nonfiction collections…”

The Horn Book: “A comprehensible yet rigorous science text for young children.”

School Library Journal: “The author explains what discovery each image produced and how the information fits into our existing knowledge. His enthusiastic descriptions create vivid pictures in and of themselves.”

CONNECTIONS
*Coordinate with another teacher to help children do a report on a science topic related to the curriculum. A collection of age appropriate science books by Seymour Simon may include any of the following:

Bones: Our Skeletal System. 2000 ISBN: 10-0688177212


The Brain: Our Nervous System. 2006 ISBN 10-0060877197 


Comets, Meteors and Asteroids. 1998. ISBN 10-0688158439


Destination Mars. 2004 ISBN 10-0060546387


The Heart: Our Circulatory System. 2006. ISBN 10-0060877219  

Oceans 2006. ISBN 10-0060889993

RESOURCES
Picture:
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http://titlepeek.fsc.follett.com/tp/query?action=3&subnumber=8501546&isbn=0688162894&appid=4

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.