Exploring Space by Jenkins and Biesty

Explore space–and humans’ attempts to explore space–in this information-packed and expertly illustrated coffee table sized book.

Exploring Space: From Galileo to the Mars Rover and Beyond by Martin Jenkins and Stephen Biesty. Candlewick, 2017. 64 pages.

• Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12
• Recommended For: Space fans, ages 6 and up

What’s up in the night sky? How far away are those stars we can see? How far can we see? And what is the real likelihood of a Mars settlement? Jenkins begins with the known solar system and our (very small) place in the universe before he backs up and tells the story of space exploration from the first astronomers all the way to futuristic predictions. How we get into–and back out of–space each get a chapter as well as the International Space Station. Biesty’s illustrations add punch, turning a nice information book into a book that young space geeks will enjoying pouring over. Drawings are clear, detailed, and nicely labeled without feeling too academic.

Nearly any time we read a modern space book, we’ll run into language about the earth’s or universe’s age that can make a young earth Creationist uncomfortable. And, while that’s true for this book (“and we now know that it came into being in a very large explosion 13.8 billion years ago”), it’s limited and occurs essentially on one or two pages of the first chapter. Old earth creationists will find less to quibble with. The timeline at the front uses the politically correct “BCE” and “CE” dating convention. Far and away, though, the emphasis and discussion in the book happen on humanity’s history of space exploration and what might be out there. If you have young space geeks in your house, you teach an upper elementary science class, or you run a school library, this is a book worth checking out. Even if kids just look at the pictures, they will come away with a good grasp of what it means to be exploring space. And don’t forget to read Psalms 8 and 19 as you marvel at the Lord’s massive creative powers!

Cautions: Evolution (slight, see above paragraph)

Rating: 4.5

• Artistic Rating: 4.75
• Worldview Rating: 4.25

Don’t forget to check out the rest of our space and sci-fi books this week!