Mars Rover Driver (Ignite: The Coolest Jobs on the Planet, Level U)

No one has yet visited Mars – at least, no humans have. Robot rovers have explored the surface of the Red Planet, and it’s the job of people on Earth to control their every movement. Find out what’s involved in being a rover driver, the tools and skills you need, and the difficulties of controlling something that’s millions of miles away.

Gr 6-9-This set covers the progression of four careers through the first-person narration of a professional. For example, a photographer takes readers from his childhood love of nature to becoming a paid and seasoned pro. Text boxes scattered throughout the volumes relay information about groundbreakers in each field, tools, education, and fun facts. The subject matter is unusual and of high interest. The photos vary in quality, with some appearing grainy and faded. The diagrams are well labeled, but the font is quite small. A quiz in every title allows students to "see if you have what it takes" to succeed in the featured field or test their knowledge. Three volumes suggest topics for further research. Overall, interesting additions to career shelves α(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journal. LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Scott Maxwell, of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, might just have the awesomest of all jobs profiled in the Coolest Jobs on the Planet series. Maxwell remotely operates robots on Mars, specifically two picture-taking, soil- and rock-sampling rovers named Curiosity and Opportunity. Maxwell’s trajectory from stargazing kid to computer-science major to NASA recruit is quickly covered as a preamble to the main event, his detailed work each sol (that’s Martian for “day”) with the rovers, during which he and his team carefully choreograph each planned mission. The layout is all over the place, with photos, illustrations, and blocks of boxed text, often under headings like “Note to Self” and “My Hero.” Though sometimes this mania can disrupt the flow, it’s also welcoming to reluctant readers. The enthusiasm of subject and author vibrates off the page, creating a unique learning experience for readers. Grades 5-8. --Courtney Jones