The Universe: The Big Bang, Black Holes, and Blue Whales

Reviews

School Library Journal
“Middle school and lower high school readers will be drawn into the science of cosmology. Similar to the composition and critical thinking opportunities offered in an academic science textbook, facts and purposeful queries are presented at the start and end of each chapter. Readers are sure to gain knowledge about the impact of revolutionary thinking and discovery. Cornell’s comic-style characters, engaged in dialogue at the beginning of each chapter, spark readers’ interest in the topics introduced, from the first stars to spiral galaxies to life on Earth. . . The neatly arranged page layouts guide readers between the main body of text and the impressive photographs (often cited from NASA) and diagrams. Interactive QR codes are provided; links offer relevant visual media and resources. The text includes a time line of cosmic phenomena, metric conversions, an extensive glossary, an index, a bibliography, and STEM experiments for the creation of models. VERDICT An in-depth educational science resource for middle and high school readers with basic astronomical knowledge. Readers will achieve a greater understanding of the science of cosmology and its related content, from the big bang to a star’s life cycle to Earth’s geosphere.”

Professor Raymond Jeanloz, University of California, Berkeley
“Overall, an outstanding overview, impressive in its clarity and ability to engage the reader. I also appreciated the structure of the book, with a build up not only toward big-picture topics (future of the Universe!) but also toward the practical, societally important issues of climate change and environmental challenges here at home.”