Destination:Mars is a great informational text about Mars. While, this is not the narrative I expected it to be it does provide many different facts and stories about Mars. I appreciated how each page was a different topic surrounding Mars. Each page does contain a lot of text that wouldn't work well with younger students. This book is also jam packed with information. I gave it only 3 stars because while it is a cool informational text I wouldn't use it to read aloud or just have students read. I could see myself using this in 3-5 (mainly 4-5) for research projects/essays. Also, if a student was super interested in Mars I would of course recommend they check this book out. I would include this to have in my classroom but can't see any other pedagogical ideas besides research which is another reason it's 3 stars. ( )

Even though this book is a bit dated (having been written in 1987), it contains useful information and fine photographs of our sister planet. Among the images are photographs taken via the Viking Project, including remarkable aerial photos that show unmistakable evidence that water once flowed across its now dry surface. Also included are closeups of the moons Phobos and Deimos (respectively a tiny 12x17 miles and 8 miles in diameter) as well as the truly amazing photos taken from the Martian surface by Viking 1. Interesting facts are included, such as the surface temperatures (which reach 190F below zero at night, and 45F below zero in mid-afternoon), and the fact that atmospheric pressure is so low that a person's blood would literally boil if they stepped out onto the surface unprotected. While this work was published before the recent Mars Pathfinder and Mars Global Surveyor missions it offers an interesting introduction to Mars and our early efforts at Martian exploration. Although children and teens are the target audience, adults will likely find it interesting as well. ( )

a detailed discussion of mars
1 book

Seymour Simon takes young astronomers on an unforgettable tour of the red planet. He examines old beliefs about bug-eyed monsters and "canals," as well as the newest discoveries by recent Mars Global Surveyor and Pathfinder space missions. Breathtaking NASA photographs highlight some of the spectacular physical features of the Martian surface. Mars is a great introduction to one of our nearest neighbors in space--a planet scientists hope we will one day explore in person.

This book has inspiring photographs, not illustrations. Most of the photos are actual NASA photos of Mars. The writing is straight forward and not condescending. This book could be read by and be informative to children and adults. Unfortunately as well researched as this book is, the information of space travel is changing every year and some of the information needs updating. ( )