Karen Taschek

My daughter has told my mom a few times now about how she is interested in space. So when I happened upon this astronomy book written for kids at a used bookstore I knew I had to get it. Lots of kid friendly photos and exactly the stuff I loved when I was her age. I did make a few notes in the book by updating the number of moons around various planets and noting Pluto's current status. Some people might think the stories about the various equipment dates the book too much. I think it adds much needed realism. The big astronomy projects use big tools, Hubble, VLA which became the EVLA, VLBA, and so on. It hopefully drives home the idea that astronomers are not loners but team-players who collaborate to accomplish global-level goals.… (mehr)

A very engaging story, with tension building as the reader anticipates the eventual meeting between Bin-daa-dee-nin and Sarah Chilton. Successfully depicts the fears and strengths of each character, making each a hero that the audience roots for. The common ground of their mutual love for the horse Moon Dancer/Moon That Flies, and the inevitable outcome that only one can “own” him does not lend itself to a traditionally happy resolution. Nor does the history of the time period allow for a happy ending for the hero. However, I was satisfied with the ending, and thought the modern-day epilogue was unnecessary and distracting.… (mehr)