Seven Wonders of the Solar System

August 1, 2017

Gr 5 Up-Admittedly our solar system holds many amazing features, but Aguilar selects the seven presented here based on where he would want to visit and take a selfie. Olympus Mons, a 16-mile high volcano on Mars; Saturn's rings; Planet Nine, which is based off of mathematics and is still being studied; a few different moons (Europa, Titan, Charron); and planet Earth make the cut. Each wonder has several pages dedicated to describing and explaining its discovery, as well as information about the astronomers that studied it and visits made by spacecraft. Aguilar weaves together a narrative of science and imagination-readers can envision what it would be like to set foot on these distant lands. The majority of the amazing artwork was created by building 3-D models (using data gleaned from space probes, and scientific facts and figures) and then photographing and digitizing them. Students will be fascinated and educated at the same time. A thorough index helps make it useful for research, but since the work covers a mix of facts, it will be better suited for curiosity seekers. VERDICT A title sure to inspire readers; large nonfiction collections should consider.-Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2018
Astronomer Aguilar provides a fresh look at the solar system, focusing on features that interest researchers. In-depth discussions about the system's formation, the importance of water, and possible life beyond Earth are woven into the descriptions of planets and moons. Colorful, dramatic images of planetary surfaces and outer space are included. Instructions for building a replica Mars volcano are appended. Reading list, websites. Ind.

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