1. Bibliography -
Simon, Seymour. 2002. DESTINATION: SPACE. Ill. by NASA’s Hubble Telescope. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 0-688-16290-8
2. Plot Summary –
This book entitled DESTINATION: SPACE is about the discoveries that the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has made possible to explore about our Universe; showing many different galaxies, stars being born and in the case of proving the existence of black holes!
“For over a century the idea of a black hole was merely a theory, one that was fiercely debated. Then, while using the Hubble Space Telescope to observe a distant galaxy, scientists were able to take the first pictures of a black hole. A mystery that existed for over a hundred years was solved!
Launched in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope is still sending us images of the cosmos never before seen by the human eye. There are more pictures and new discoveries every day. Orbiting above the atmosphere, the Hubble Space Telescope can see into space ten times more clearly than the most powerful telescope on Earth” (Amazon, 2009).
3. Critical Analysis –
a. accuracy:
Seymour Simon’s book DESTINATION: SPACE is full of information and pictures from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, that show images from space that are “ten times more clear than the best telescopes on Earth” can provide. “The award-winning author of 250 science books for children” (SeymourScience, 2009) shows us in his book “DESTINATION: SPACE, the stunning visuals that illustrate major discoveries as Seymour Simon explains what each carefully chosen image has shown us about the universe” (Simon, S., 2002)
“He does research for his books all over the world ("but NOT on Mars," he says). He writes and photographs from a house high atop a hill in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York state” (Simon, S., 2009). While being interviewed by Eleise Jones from Ruminator Review, Seymour Simon had this to say:
“JONES: What makes a good science book for children?
SIMON: Well, a lot of it is indefinable. A lot of it has to do with the writing, whether it’s interesting, whether it’s clear, whether it leads to further interest in the subject. It’s almost like asking what makes a good fiction book. The difference is that in a science book the information also has to be true and as accurate as we know it at the time, since obviously some of these things are further investigated, and down the road something will be found which will change what you’re saying. I think, however, that’s less important than making sure what you write is stimulating and opens up the world instead of just answering questions and closing down any further investigation, or any further interest” (Jones, E., 2002).
“In this handsome and fascinating oversized book, Simon discusses the many new discoveries scientists have made because of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), which has been orbiting Earth since April, 1990” (Wadleigh, L., 2002).
“In the 12 years since it began orbiting Earth, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided us not only clearer pictures than ever before, but also images of space objects more distant in space and in time than previously observed” (Phelan, C., 2009).
b. organization:
“Using the handsome format familiar to fans of his Destination astronomy series, Simon presents a succession of pictures from the space telescope; on pages facing the images, paragraphs of text clearly explain what is shown. Among the images are views of Mars and Saturn, a star cluster 15,000 light-years away, a cluster of new stars in the Eagle Nebula, the collision of two galaxies, and a black hole. An attractive, informative addition to a fine series” (Phelan, C., 2009).
c. design:
In the book DESTINATION: SPACE, the photos are magnificent and complement the text well. Simon uses clear graphics, and places them appropriately to communicate the subject matter effectively and comprehensively.
“In Destination: Space, stunning visuals illustrate major discoveries as Seymour Simon explains what each carefully chosen image has shown us about the universe. Capturing fascinating and complex scientific discoveries in dramatic photographs and an easy-to-understand text, Seymour Simon once again shows why he is widely regarded as one of America's most exciting and informative authors” (Amazon, 2009).
d. style:
Seymour Simon shows his enthusiasm and passion as an author in this book. His attention to details is what makes this book so fascinating; his use of appropriate vocabulary - that does not talk down to the reader, encourages curiousity, interest and wonder as well as the desire to read more!
“What is amazing about Simon’s books is his ability to retain the child’s perspective; he devises wonderful comparisons that a child can easily follow” (Jones, E., 2002).
“On each spread, the large-print, easy-to-understand text is supported by a stunning, full-page color photograph. The author explains what discovery each image produced and how the information fits into our existing knowledge. His enthusiastic descriptions create vivid pictures in and of themselves” (Wadleigh, L., 2002).
“All of his books capture the imagination and enthusiasm and interest of children and encourage them to enjoy the world around them, to learn--and to discover” (Simon, S. 2009).
e. Awards & Recognitions:
“Today the name Seymour Simon is synonymous with science writing for children. This association has been a long time in the making--through three decades of scientific discovery, Simon has penned more than two hundred children’s books, and he shows no signs of slowing down” (Jones, E., 2002). Some of his awards and recognitions include the following:
** 2005 Seymour Simon has been chosen for The Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Science Books from the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Science Books and Films/Subaru Key Award.
** 2003 Empire State Award for Excellence in Literature for Young People
** Seymour Simon has been honored by many awards for his work including the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature; the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library; the Eva L. Gordon Award, presented by the American Nature Society, for his contribution to children's science literature; and the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Non-fiction for the body of his work.
** “Seymour Simon is the recipient of the Science Books & Films Key Award for Excellence in Science Books, the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people, and the Educational Paperback Association Jeremiah Ludington Award” (HarperCollinsCanada, 2009).
4. Review Excerpt(s) –
"It would be hard to imagine a better introduction to our little corner of the universe." -- Starred Kirkus Reviews.
“…[W]ill leave … readers …[with] an enhanced sense of wonder at the starscape’s vast, turbulent beauty.” -- Kirkus Reviews
“An attractive, informative addition to a fine series.” –- Booklist
“Over the past ten years, the Hubble Telescope has brought into our view some truly incredible space sights. Simon uses these remarkable images in a slide show-like tour of stars, galaxies, and nebulae (as well as a few images from our own solar system). While the full-page images are consistently spectacular, it is Simon’s detail-rich text that rounds out their significance. He explains the recent scientific findings supported by the images and guides readers to the important details that illustrate such phenomena as energy outbursts from aging stars, clusters of newly formed stars and the interactions among bodies that lead to gas cloud distortions. Included in the book are several images that at first glance don’t look as impressive but turn out to be the most exciting—one of the first images of a black hole, and another of a galaxy formed fourteen billion years ago whose light is only now reaching us. Simon’s skilled use of analogies helps readers to make sense of the space phenomena, though the vast distances and lengthy time spans involved can be challenging to comprehend. D.J.F.” -– Horn Book Magazine
"The Dean of Science Books for Children." – The New York Times
"Simon may have done more than any other living author to help us understand and appreciate the beauty of our planet and our universe." – Kirkus Reviews
5. Connections –
“Seymour Simon is the author of 200 highly acclaimed science books (over half of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association). He has introduced millions of children to a staggering array of subjects, including the human body, animals and animal behavior, climate and weather, earthquakes, volcanoes, mirrors, optical illusions, rocks and minerals, star gazing and space, oceanography, and the list goes on and on” (Simon, S., 2009).
Anyone could teach a whole lesson on any of those topics and Simon’s books would provide information and wonderful pictures to help students visualize the content. If one was interested in teaching about space and the solar system, Seymour Simon has many other books about this subject; a few of his books are listed below:
• STARS
• THE SUN
• OUR SOLAR SYSTEM
• DESTINATION: MARS
• DESTINATION: JUPITER
• GALAXIES
• COMETS, METERORS AND ASTEROIDS
• THE MOON
• EARTH: OUR PLANET IN SPACE
References
Simon, Seymour. 2002. DESTINATION: SPACE. Ill. by NASA’s Hubble Telescope. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 0-688-16290-8
Amazon, (1996-2009). DESTINATION: SPACE, retrieved on October 24, 2009, from
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0688162908/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books
Wadleigh, L., (2002) Library School Journal, retrieved on October 25, 2009, from http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0688162908/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books
Phelan, C., (2009). American Library Association: Booklist, retrieved on October 25, 2009, from http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0688162908/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books
Simon, S., (2002-2008). Seymour Simon Website, retrieved on October 25, 2009, from http://www.seymoursimon.com/meet.htm
Jones, E., (2002). Ruminator Review – TRAVELING THE UNIVERSE ON A PAPER PLANE: AN INTERVIEW WITH SEYMOUR SIMON, retrieved on October 25, 2009, from http://www.seymoursimon.com/interview1.htm
HarperCollinsCanada, (2009). Authors – Seymour Simon, retrieved on October 25, 2009, from http://www.harpercollins.ca/authors/12733/Seymour_Simon/index.aspx
SeymourScience, (2009). Seymour Simon’s Blog, retrieved on October 25, 2009, from http://www.seymourscience.com/
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment