Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian, 2007, Harcourt.
“On a clear night you might try/ to gaze upon the starry sky.” Maybe you‘ve already tried stargazing. If not, you might want to give it a try. The first poem in this book is Skywatch and it begins with the line above and ends with these: “Start out when the day is done./ Most of all: have lots of fun!” There are 19 more really clever poems in this book about everything from black holes to Uranus.  Start your stargazing adventure with a poem!

Dot to Dot in the Sky: Stories in the Stars by Joan Hinz, 2001, Whitecap.
When you can identify some of the constellations, why not learn the stories behind them?  Discover why there is a Great Bear in the sky. Learn where Pegasus, the winged horse, is flying.  And find out what Orion, the hunter, is tracking.  Some of the constellations have more than one story.  See if you can imagine and write a constellation story of your own.

See the Stars: Your First Guide to the Night Sky by Ken Croswell, 2000, Boyds Mills Press.
If you‘re serious about stargazing, try this book that tells you when and where to look for different constellations every month of the year.  While you‘re outside in the dark, use a flashlight covered with red cellophane to focus on the photos in the book.  They will help you spot the major stars in each constellation. You might even discover a lion, a bull, a scorpion, and much more in the night sky.

When Is a Planet Not a Planet? The Story of Pluto by Elaine Scott, 2007, Clarion Books.
Planets are changing.  So is the way we describe them.  In August, 2006, a group of astronomers announced that Pluto is now classified as a dwarf planet.  Learn about early astronomers who first discovered planets.  Then find out how planets are discovered and what modern scientists have set as the qualifications for present day planets.  Are there more dwarf planets in our Solar System?

Ten Worlds: Everything That Orbits the Sun by Ken Croswell, 2007, Boyds Mills Press.
What is the hottest planet?  The biggest planet?  The answers are in a section of Ten Worlds called “Extreme Planets.” Planet number ten is a new dwarf planet named Eris.  Some astronomers still disagree about whether the dwarf planets, Pluto and Eris, are real planets or not.  You can read also about asteroids, comets, meteors, and how the solar system was formed.

The Inside and Out Guide to Spacecraft by Clare Hibbert, 2006, Heinemann Library.
Are you ready for space travel? Read about the spacecraft that can take you out of this world.  Find out about the latest spacesuits.  Learn about the International Space Station where you might dock.  And meet astronauts who have already traveled in space.

11 Planets: A New View of the Solar System by David A. Aguilar, 2008, National Geographic.
Do you know a rhyme or phrase to help you name the planets?  Here‘s a new one to learn: “My Very Exciting Magic Carpet Just Sailed Under Nine Palace Elephants.”  It‘s the phrase that won the National Geographic contest to name the eleven planets in their order from the Sun.  These eleven include the dwarf planets Pluto, Eris, and Ceres. Read all about the eleven planets and more.  Maybe you‘ll discover a twelfth!

Wonderful World of Space by Andrew Fraknoi, 2007, Disney Pixar.
Red Giants. Black Holes. White Dwarfs.  Oh my!  Buzz Lightyear, along with other Disney characters, help you discover the meanings of these colorful terms.  You‘ll also learn about the all-stars, not of baseball but of astronomy.  There‘s even a section on astronomy activities to get your whole family involved.

George’s Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy & Stephen Hawking, 2007, Simon & Schuster.
Imagine surfing on a comet in outer space. It sounds fantastic!  George has many exciting explorations as he unlocks the secrets of the universe.  He solves a mystery, rescues a friend from a black hole, and recovers a stolen computer.  Through all his adventures, George is making discoveries about the universe and you will too!