Rocket Science for the Rest of Us

May 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-This eye-catching text, divided into four color-coded sections, introduces readers to the universe, space exploration, scientific theories, and the supersmall stuff that makes up the universe. The design is useful: the name of each section appears on the top left of each spread, and the title of the current entry appears on the top right. The coverage is broad (including everything from the status of Pluto as a planet to how we keep time to X-ray crystallography) and will keep readers engaged. The explanations are clear, even for challenging subjects, and the author often lightens the tone with humorous asides and puns. For instance, he likens the iron-rich internal structure of Mercury to "a Ferrero Rocher chocolate...or Ferrous Rocher" and uses the concept of Elvis Presley and his fans to describe the way that particles gather around the Higgs boson. The layout is bright and image-filled. Often, numbered images are used to help elucidate complex processes, such as how the European Space Agency's comet chaser probe Rosetta targeted its prey. Most of the spreads feature white text on a black background. Key phrases appear in boldface text. (Some of the smaller white text featured in annotations is difficult to read.) Boxed areas featuring text on nonwhite backgrounds are used to introduce and highlight concepts. VERDICT This book is certain to appeal to students studying science as well as armchair enthusiasts and would be a solid choice for libraries looking to supplement their science collections.-Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2015
Grades 10-1 While this book may find a small audience in readers with little understanding of physics and rocket science (i.e., the rest of us ), it could easily prove invaluable as supplemental reading for physics students. In characteristic DK style, busy pages incorporate dense text and high-quality color photographs and diagrams that work well with its short chapter format (four pages, max), succinctly explaining topics that range from space travel to dark matter to Higgs boson. Detailed diagrams are one of the book's strongest points, as they provide the clearest explanations of difficult physics concepts. Humorous illustrations sporadically placed throughout offer comic relief from more taxing subject matter. The table of contents and index will guide students to specific topics, though no additional resources are listed. With an emphasis on black holes, it is surprising that the book contains no information about CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Nonetheless, libraries where physics books are popular will find this a worthwhile addition.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)