Simon, Seymour. Stars.
New York: HarperCollins, 2006. ISBN:
0-06-089001-0.
SUMMARY
Imagine
explosions with no sound as a young star is born. Envision the dying pulse of an
old star as its last light blinks a farewell to the universe. Seymour Simon's
book Stars captures the reader's
imagination in its brilliant photographs of stars that burst out from the
pages. Mr. Simon strategically places information among the pictures,
information that helps the reader to realize the enormity of the universe
around us, yet simple enough to put into a perspective so that readers inexperienced
in astronomy can understand the complex and intrinsic events that create and
eventually destroy stars. He uses everyday terms to describe the events in
space. For example, he compares an aging star to a piece of popcorn when it
pops. From young stars to old stars, from gas nebulas to star clusters, Mr.
Simon captures the incredible energy of the universe in his book that both
informs and entertains readers of all ages.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Seymour
Simon, in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution, writes a series of
science books for younger audiences. Stars,
a book from the series, uses fantastic photography of stars, nebulas, and
galaxies from world-renowned science observatories and institutions to first
capture the readers' interest. Then, Mr. Simon crafts his words for difficult
to understand concepts in such a way that the reader is drawn to the
information that accompanies the photographs. Once the reader finishes reading
the book, he is left both with a basic understanding of the creation and life
of stars and with a desire to want to learn more.
The layout
of the book invites the reader to browse through the pages, and to pause when
an image is too intriguing to pass by quickly. This layout seems appropriate
for a nonfiction book, as some readers may be using the book for research on
one particular topic, for example "quasars." By turning to the index,
the young researcher can immediately locate the subject and open to that page. Ironically, it is difficult to stop and read
just one page! Even the most one-tracked minded person would find it difficult
to set this book aside once the main purpose of opening it is accomplished. The
stars beckon the reader to explore all of the book's pages.
The
information offered in the book is simple and basic facts about stars. For a
beginning amateur astronomer, or for a young reader, the book is a wonderful
introduction to a field of science that is growing with each new bit of data
our telescopes and satellites relay to physicists and professional astronomers.
AWARDS AND REVIEWS
Seymour
Simon is the recipient of the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children
Award for many of the science books he has written for children.
"(Mr.
Simon's) brings the heavens down to earth for readers of all ages." Dr.
Beverly Kobrin, Children's Literature
"The
full-page photographs and computer drawings are breathtaking." -Kirkus Reviews
CONNECTIONS
Nonfiction - Photograph Essay Science, Interest Level Grades 4-7
Part of the Smithsonian-Collins Series
Related
Books
Other books about Seymour Simon books
about Space in the Smithsonian-Collins Series:
The
Sun
The
Universe
Our
Solar System
Destination
Space
Enrichment
Activities
For
classroom activities, go to the Seymour Simon webpage. After signing up, which is free, you will be able to access .pdf pages that have a variety of activities to use
with his books.
Here
is a sample of a fun website link from Seymour Simon's webpage for educators. http://www.amnh.org/ology/features/sun/?TB_iframe=true&height=420&width=640
PERSONAL
RESPONSE
As a science teacher, I enjoyed reading Stars. I like the friendly approach Mr.
Simon uses in explaining complex ideas. I remember once going to a night-sky
viewing event. The physicist who was teaching us about the night sky was exuberant
and passionate about the glittering objects cast among the dark sky.
Unfortunately, we lay-people were lost after about one minute into the lecture.
One of us was brave enough to ask a question, and the physicist paused in his
speech and looked at us, bewildered that we could not grasp what he was saying.
Thank goodness there are people like Mr. Simon who can simplify things for people
who are not advanced in the field of astronomy!
Stars cover
illustration. Internet on-line. Accessed
October 24, 2012 from http://www.seymoursimon.com/index.php/books/smithsonian_collins_series/
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