Curiosity's Mission on Mars: Exploring the Red Planet

Gr 7 Up—Miller introduces and details the Mars craft Curiosity in the first chapter and then chapter by chapter describes the planet, fictional and factual, and what the future might hold for it. Wonderfully illustrated with full-color maps, diagrams, and photographs on every page, this title contains material that is clearly presents and logically arranged. Especially fascinating is the discussion of the array of high-tech tools developed for Curiosity to carry out its mission of scientific exploration and discovery. Sidebars ranging in size from half to full page amplify the narrative-how Curiosity was named, why is friction a critical consideration of space travel, what is the Gale Crater, and more. In addition to defining terms in the text, a two-page glossary provides basic definitions ("atmosphere," "inert gas," etc.), and a selected bibliography recommends books (nonfiction and fiction), as well as films, magazines, websites, and relevant organizations for further exploration. The two-page index will be helpful for report writers. Packed with relevant and fascinating information, this slim entry will shine in every collection. —Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA