Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Graphic Novel: Space

Gr 1-5–Space is a perennially popular topic for elementary school nonfiction, and with the graphic novel format and the “Magic Tree House” characters Jack and Annie guiding the way, this book rises above the pack. This entry in the series covers a lot of ground in nine chapters, from the history of astronomy to the future of space travel. The conversational tone keeps things light, and the writing breaks concepts down in a way that is easy to comprehend. For example, the narrators help readers conceptualize big numbers by comparing how many marbles it would take to fill a small car (a million), versus a sports stadium (a trillion). The pages about the planets in our Solar System provide fun and unique facts on each one. The chapter on space travel notably gives equal credit to achievements by both the United States and the Soviet Union, concluding with the international cooperation of the ISS. For readers who are ready to do their own research, the back matter provides excellent guidance on how to use books, museums, and the internet for further fact tracking.