From meteorites to aliens, explore a wide range of recently published books focusing on space science, astronomy, and cosmology. These thought-provoking books separate the fact from the fiction.
Impact: How Rocks from Space Led to Life, Culture, and Donkey Dong
Greg Brennecka, 2022, William Morrow, Harper Collins
Themes: Science, Space Science, Cosmology
Brennecka’s humorous approach brings the story of meteorites to life through fascinating examples.
Take-aways: Use the author’s stories to enhance the teaching of space science and specifically meteorites.
NASA Missions to Mars: A Visual History of Our Quest to Explore the Red Planet
Piers Bizony, 2022, Motorbooks, Quarto Group
Themes: Science, Space Science, Space Exploration
This visually-rich reference explores the past, present, and future of Mars exploration.
Take-aways: Use this amazing visual story to enhance the planetary science curriculum. Involve students in speculation about the future exploration of other planets in our solar system.
The Red Planet: A Natural History of Mars
Simon Morden, 2022, Pegasus Books, Simon & Schuster
Themes: Science, Space Science
Told in seven parts, readers explore the planetary science, geology, and the history of Mars.
Take-aways: The author’s accessible, conversational writing style make this book a good choice for high school educators seeking a content-area reading experience for teens.
The Cosmos Explained
Charles Liu, 2023, Ivy Press, Quarto Group
Themes: Science, Space Science, Astronomy
With an emphasis on our place in space and time, this visually-rich book traces the history of our universe and the evolution of our social system.
Take-aways: Teachers will find the short biographical sketches of key contributors to be useful.
Before the Big Bang: The Origin of Our Universe from the Multiverse
Laura Mersini-Houghton, 2023, Mariner Books, HarperCollins
Themes: Space Science, Cosmology
Follow the author’s personal and professional journey re-writing the origin story of our universe.
Take-aways: Students are fascinated by the prospect of a multiverse. Update the curriculum to include the latest information on the universe’s origin.
Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer’s Guide to the Universe
Philip Plait, 2023, W.W. Norton & Company
Themes: Science, Space Science, Astronomy
Plait takes readers on an entertaining adventure through the universe. From the moon and Mars to black holes, each chapter explores a different space science topic.
Take-aways: Weave Plait’s humorous, easy to understand examples into the space science curriculum.
Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars
Avi Loeb, 2023, Mariner Books, HarperCollins
Themes: Science Space Science, Space Exploration
Loeb examines that challenges of encountering alien life and our quest to explore the universe.
Take-aways: Use this book to address student speculation about aliens and interstellar exploration.
The Little Book of Aliens
Adam Frank, 2023, Harper, HarperCollins
Themes: Science, Space Science
Through eight engaging chapters, readers learn the fact and fiction of alien life. Trace the history of the big ideas, scientific exploration and research, and near-future issues.
Take-aways: Students often have questions about the possibility of alien life. Use examples from this easy-to-understand book to lead thought-provoking discussions about this hot topic.
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Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb
