Astronomer and author Lisa Harvey-Smith (The Secret Life of Stars) shares her space fascination with young readers in this detailed, accessible handbook to the heavens. Universal Guide to the Night Sky offers budding astronomers, engineers, and mathematicians a roadmap and equipment list for starting their explorations of space and its infinite possibilities.
Harvey-Smith's enthusiasm for her subject matter is clear in her presentation of the awe-inspiring features of the cosmos in a casual, conversational style: "I was gobsmacked that you could see a faraway planet without a telescope. The experience forever changed my view of the night sky." The author details how amateur astronomers can view stars, planets, asteroids, comets, meteors, and more wonders with basic equipment--binoculars, cell phone apps, star maps--and patience. She offers sight suggestions for readers in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere so everyone can explore their own night skies. Throughout, Harvey-Smith includes challenges for her audience, like trying night-sky apps, taking pictures of celestial objects, and safely viewing sunspots with binoculars, all of which can be easily accomplished by middle-grade readers. And detailed backmatter is present for anyone wanting to research further.
Accompanying Harvey-Smith's informative text are playful color illustrations by Sophie Beer (Welcome, Little One) featuring space-related subjects, including stars, planets, space crafts, and a humorous representation of a nebula as a star nursery. The prose and art together are likely to exert gravitational pull on readers young and old, motivating them to look more closely at the marvels right above them every night. --Jen Forbus, freelancer