Mission to Mars (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) - Hardcover

Branley, Dr. Franklyn M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060298073 ISBN 13: 9780060298074

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2002

Synopsis

Read and find out about exploring Mars in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

Someday people from Earth may live on Mars. Soon we will go to the planet to learn more about it. It will become our outpost in space—our space colony. 

The author-illustrator pair who brought us The International Space Station, Floating in Space, and What the Moon Is Like tackle the hot topic in space: a mission to the red planet.

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It's a Level 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades. The 100+ titles in this leading nonfiction series are:

• hands-on and visual
• acclaimed and trusted
• great for classrooms

Top 10 reasons to love LRFOs:

• Entertain and educate at the same time
• Have appealing, child-centered topics
• Developmentally appropriate for emerging readers
• Focused; answering questions instead of using survey approach
• Employ engaging picture book quality illustrations
• Use simple charts and graphics to improve visual literacy skills
• Feature hands-on activities to engage young scientists
• Meet national science education standards
• Written/illustrated by award-winning authors/illustrators & vetted by an expert in the field
• Over 130 titles in print, meeting a wide range of kids' scientific interests

Books in this series support the Common Core Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) standards. Let's-Read-and-Find-Out is the winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Science Books & Films Prize for Outstanding Science Series.

About this title

About the Authors

Franklyn M. Branley was the originator of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series and the author of close to 150 popular books about scientific topics for young readers of all ages. He was Astronomer Emeritus and former Chairman of the American Museum of Natural History-Hayden Planetarium.

True Kelley has illustrated many favorite books for children in her fun-filled watercolor style, including several in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. She and the author previously collaborated on What Makes a Magnet? and What the Moon is Like?

True Kelley lives in Warner, New Hampshire.

From the Back Cover

In this century, humans will land on Mars and walk on the red planet. You may be one of those astronauts. What might you learn about Earth, our solar system, and the universe on a trip to Mars? Is there air on Mars? Is there water? Can anything grow there? Could people live there one day? In this book, you will find out how you will get to Mars, how you will explore the planet, and what you might discover there.

Landing on Mars will be the great adventure of the twenty-first century.

Reviews

Grade 2-3-The renowned science writer posthumously invites readers to set their sights on the high frontier by envisioning themselves as members of the first Mars Mission's crew. In its current configuration, the mission will involve departing from the International Space Station for multiple rendezvous with previously launched, unmanned vehicles, both in Mars orbit and on the planet's surface. Crew members will drill for water, watch for dust storms, experience both light gravity and severe cold, and, of course, explore. What will they find? The author makes a few suggestions based on what we already know about Mars, but also, "you will find things no one could have imagined. No one knows what may be discovered, and that is one of the main reasons why we want to go there." Along with a sprinkling of black-and-white and full-color photos, the illustrations mix clearly drawn schematics with scenes of crew members working busily inside the Mars Station or outside in heavy protective suits. An informative, inspirational introduction.
John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

K-Gr. 3. In this appealing volume from the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, Branley takes children on a you-are-there voyage to the red planet, and the text implies that exploration is a given. Astronauts live in Mars Station, where they generate solar and atomic power for electricity, recycle water, and grow food. As part of their mission, they don space suits and explore the planet. Eventually, the crew climb into their Ascent Vehicle and start the long trip home. Though written in narrative style, the text imparts a good deal of information along the way. Photos of Mars appear on the endpapers, the title page, its verso, and one double-page spread, but otherwise, Kelley's ink-and wash illustrations help children picture life on Mars. Combining adventure, technology, and certain homey comforts, her vision of the Mars explorers and their habitat is as likely as the text to recruit the astronauts of tomorrow. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0060298073
• ISBN 13: 9780060298074
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Kelley True
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40