Reading Without Walls: Stars, Planets, and Space

Red-headed and tiny, Sardine is a space pirate who takes off on adventures with her pirate uncle and their friend in a spaceship named Huckleberry. Their madcap adventures are fast–paced and punchy, with grotesque details to appeal to a younger crowd, and sophisticated cultural references and puns that will appeal to older readers. The story is told in a graphic novel format.

It may be the amazing photography that catches your eye, but don’t forget to read the stories, too! This fresh and fast-paced magazine contains stories, games, and activities that introduce kids to animals, science, technology, archaeology, geography, and more. Just right for the curious reader!

Hans Augusto Rey, best known as the creator of a small monkey named Curious George, was an amateur astronomer as well. He created this easy-to-follow guide to the night sky so that young people could get to know the constellations visible from their own backyards. A conversational, open text with simple but informative illustrations is sure to entice and inspire young star gazers.

Have you ever wondered how the Milky Way came to be? According to a Cherokee legend, it started when an old couple learned that their corn was being stolen by a Great Spirit dog. To get away, the spirit dog jumps into the sky, spilling the corn. And we can still see the results today in the night sky.

Relive the journey of the Apollo 11 where the first people stepped on the Moon’s surface and saw Earth from a very different perspective. Eloquent language and illustrations combine to present this historical event in a unique, unforgettable way.

Minli embarks on a journey to change the luck of her family and their village. Traditional stories inspired by Chinese folklore combine with a rousing adventure for an altogether satisfying tale. Richly-hued illustrations decorate and enhance the handsome novel.

On the last page of the Caldecott-winning book Jumanji, young Danny Budwing is seen running after his brother, Walter, with a game tucked under his arm. Twenty years later, Chris Van Allsburg is ready to reveal what happens when Danny and Walter roll the dice. This time, the children face the challenges of space, time, and dimension as they read the new game cards. They journey to the planet Zathura and as ringed planets and spaceships swirl past the windows, the boys find their way to teamwork and even affection.

Around the world, people and other living things interact with and are affected by the full moon in fascinating ways. Come along on a whirlwind, poetic tour of Canada, Israel, Morocco, India, China, Australia, and more countries to discover an amazing collection of full moon celebrations, beliefs, customs, and facts.

Meet Henrietta Leavitt, a 19th century pioneer for women in science. From careful observations, Leavitt discovered that the brightness of a star determines its distance from Earth and her work helped us better understand the vastness of the universe. Warm colored pencil and watercolor illustrations by Colon create a contemplative mood. Back matter includes quotes about stars, a glossary, information about other female astronomers, and more.

Laika was the abandoned puppy destined to become Earth’s first space traveler. This is her journey. The author masterfully blends a graphic novel format with fiction and fact in the intertwined stories of three compelling lives. Along with Laika, there is Korolev, once a political prisoner, now a driven engineer at the top of the Soviet space program, and Yelena, the lab technician responsible for Laika’s health and life. An extensive bibliography of sources is appended.

The Boxcar Children — Jessie, Henry, Violet and Benny — are excited to attend a young astronomers’ convention! But when a student and his important discovery go missing, will the children be able to help?

Don t miss the adventures of Chuck and David, two boys who travel to the alien planet Basidium in their homemade spaceship. This timeless series (in print since the 1950s) is a classic that is sure to be read over and over again.