The Moon: Earth's Neighbor, Vol. 2

Children's Literature - Tina Dybvik

Colored captions and overlapping graphics help provide a layered context for this look at lunar exploration. The book is organized into three distinct sections that introduce and reinforce its main ideas and vocabulary. The first describes basic facts about the age and phases of the satellite. The second takes a "Closer Look" at mapping and topography, and the third is directed to the "Young Astronomer." Humans feature more prominently in this than in other books of this series, with several pictures of astronauts and the U.S. Apollo program included. Each short chapter poses a question, which is followed by two or three queries that aim to further explore the issue in a style that demonstrates the scientific method. The "discussions" are presented in detailed, two-page spreads that can easily stand alone. A "Moon Database" of statistics concludes the text, which is followed by a glossary, an index, and a list of Internet-based resources. One of four absorbing titles in the "Exploring Our Solar System" series, this is a fresh presentation of a familiar topic. Reviewer: Tina Dybvik