Life on Mars

September 1, 2016

K-Gr 2-Carson packs a lot of information on the eponymous red planet in this effort. Six short chapters offer readers informational bits in large type on fully illustrated backgrounds. "New Word" bubbles (robot, microbe, nutrient) give pronunciation tips and definitions. "It's a Fact" segments run along the bottom of several pages. The text explains how Mars and Earth are similar; for instance, they both have ice caps and seasons. Spacecraft such as Viking 1 and Viking 2, and rovers Spirit and Curiosity are mentioned. The book details how there might be, or might have once been, life on Mars. A new rover, ExoMars, is scheduled to head to Earth's space neighbor in March 2018. VERDICT A well-researched and accessible work on a popular topic, great for independent readers.-Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

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