Stars and Galaxies (Worlds Beyond)

Gr. 7-10

Dramatic galactic views illustrate this comprehensive title in the new Worlds Beyond series. A cursory description of how the ancients observed and measured the stars leads into chapters about the sun, varieties of stars and the spaces between them, the Milky Way and surrounding galaxies, and theories about how the universe began and how it will end. Miller's text is thorough and substantial, yet his clear examples make the concepts accessible; he refers to the rising of a loaf of baking bread to explain how stars move apart in an expanding universe. Miller's own original artwork mixes with stunning NASA photos; unfortunately, the captions don't always indicate which images are creative visions and which are actual representations. Still, the book will draw browsers and researchers alike to this fine resource. A glossary and further readings are appended.