The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity
Series
Scientists in the Field
by
Elizabeth Rusch
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Imprint
Houghton Mifflin
ISBN
9780547478814
Awards and Honors
Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book of 2012; NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K—12: 2013; SLJ Best Children’s Books 2012, Nonfiction; Booklist Top 10 Books for Youth 2012, Science & Health; 2013 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, Honor Book; ALSC 2013 Notable Children’s Books, Middle Readers
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
Did water ever exist on Mars? In 2003, two rovers were sent to find out. Their mission was expected to last for three months. Years later, it was still going strong. Author’s note. Mission update. Sources. Chapter notes. Suggestions for further information. Glossary. Index. Full-color photographs and illustrations.
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
Details
Format
Page Count
80
Trim Size
11" x 9"
Dewey
523.43
AR
6.4: points 3
Lexile
950L
Scholastic Reading Counts
7
JLG Release
Sep 2012
Topics
Roving vehicles. Astronautics. Mars probes. Exploration of planet Mars. Steven Squyres (1957-).
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Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, The Horn Book Magazine*, Kirkus Reviews*, School Library Journal*
Praise & Reviews
School Library Journal
[STARRED REVIEW]
Rusch covers not only the scientific aspects of Mars exploration but also the personalities of the people who made it happen, and profiles the rovers themselves, Spirit and Opportunity. Her comprehensive research shines through in her detailed style as she zeroes in on the behind-the-scenes efforts of launching a scientific mission. Full-color photographs on every page in this picture-book-size volume illuminate the Mars surface and the faces of the scientists as they agonize over communication difficulties and computer glitches and exult over the thrill of discovery. The lists of websites, archives, multimedia, and sources may inspire readers to follow in the footsteps of Steve Squyres—mission leader. The glossary is brief but helpful in unscrambling some of the “alphabet soup” of acronyms and nicknames (e.g., ATLO—Assembly, Test and Launch Operations and Pancam—Panoramic Camera) as well as scientific terms (e.g., Sol—one Martian day, or 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35 seconds in Earth time) used throughout. Terms and photographs are indexed. This detailed look at planning, implementing, maintaining, and troubleshooting a highly complex scientific mission puts a human face on an incredible accomplishment.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
Horn Book
[STARRED REVIEW]
The spectacularly successful, scientifically groundbreaking 2004 Mars Exploration Rover Mission provided compelling evidence for the possibility of water on Mars. It was a public relations triumph as well, due in no small part to the appeal of the two “little” rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, vehicles that embody much of what we find appealing in space explorers: extraordinary toughness and diligent attention to demanding scientific tasks. Those characteristics, too, are displayed by the mission’s principal scientist, Steve Squyres, whose reflections frame Rusch’s excellent history of events. The comprehensive text chronicles the almost-decade-long series of rejections of Squyres’s scientific proposals for Martian exploration through the demanding timeline to design, test, build, and launch the project, the initial thrill of success, and the years of subsequent data collection. Rusch’s account skillfully captures the exciting quest for knowledge that drives Squyres and his team through the leaps and setbacks of scientific exploration. Equally compelling are the images of Mars (mainly from the rovers, but also some from past missions) as well as photographs of Squyres and his colleagues hard at work. Some of the landscapes are superimposed with photos of rovers to give a sense of what they might look like on the surface (only a few camera images from near the landers are real); the photos also convey what a significant engineering accomplishment it was to get the rovers there and keep them functioning for so long.
Grades 5-7
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For Grades 5-7
The perfect literary mix for your middle-grade readers. Featuring subject matter a bit more complex and multi-dimensional, this category is packed with captivating novels and fascinating nonfiction. Expect the 12 books offered in tis category to fly off the shelf.
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Interests
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Grades 5-7
Upper Elementary & Junior High
12 books per Year
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