The Dwarf Planet Pluto

A lively and informative look at the dwarf planet Pluto, from its discovery to the recent controversy over its status as a planet. The book describes Pluto's place in the solar system, its moons, its orbit, what we know of its physical features and the difficulties scientists encounter in studying this mysterious body.

A lively and informative look at the dwarf planet Pluto, from its discovery to the recent controversy over its status as a planet. The book describes Pluto's place in the solar system, its moons, its orbit, what we know of its physical features and the difficulties scientists encounter in studying this mysterious body.

Children's Literature

The "Early Bird Astronomy" series introduces beginning astronomers to the planets in five chapters of simple text augmented by lots of pictures, many in bright colors on black backgrounds. The book begins by showing Pluto, formerly the smallest planet, in the night sky and describing its discovery in 1930. Chapter two places Pluto in our solar system, though it travels through the Kuiper belt of asteroids beyond Neptune. However, it questions its size (tiny), and orbit (irregular in distance from the Sun). Is Pluto really a planet? Since 2006, scientists have called it a "dwarf planet." Another section speculates on Pluto's origin and surface, suggesting that it may look like Neptune's moon Triton. Kids may be surprised to learn that slow-moving Pluto has three icy moons, one (Charon) almost as large as Pluto itself. A photo of dancing couples illustrates the relationship between Charon and Pluto, which face each other as they orbit. Chapter five explores two other dwarf planets that, like Pluto, orbit beyond Neptune; these three bodies are now collectively called "plutoids." Astronomers hope the New Horizons spacecraft, launched in 2006 and expected to reach Pluto after nine years, will help them learn more about the dwarf planets and the faraway Kuiper belt of rocks and ice. Parents may find the page "On Sharing a Book" helpful. Includes a bibliography of books and websites, as well as a glossary and an index for young readers. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft

Gregory L. Vogt began his professional career as a science teacher. He later joined NASA's education programs, teaching students and teachers about space exploration. He works in outreach programs for the Kennedy Space Center. He is also the principal investigator for an educational grant with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute. Vogt has written more than seventy science books for children.