~ MMGM STEAM Feature Impact: Asteroids ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY S.T.E.A.M. FEATURE ~  --  'IMPACT! ASTEROIDS AND THE SCIENCE OF SAVING THE WORLD' WRITTEN BY:  ELIZABETH RUSCHPHOTOS BY:  KARIN ANDERSON --


LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}: 
Asteroids bombard our atmosphere all the time. Some are harmless, burning up in a flash of light. But others explode with a great sonic boom, smashing windows and throwing people to the ground. Worst of all, some asteroids strike our planet, blasting out massive craters and destroying everything nearby on impact.
Follow the award-winning author Elizabeth Rusch into the field with scientists as they search for dangerous asteroids in space, study asteroids that have smashed into the ground, and make plans to prevent an asteroid strike if one ever threatens our planet.
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}: 
ELIZABETH RUSCH is an award-winning book author, magazine writer, editor, writing teacher and speaker. Her wide-ranging passions include astronomy, volcanology, art, music, history, nature, waves, jokes, crayons, and mud — anything that catches her fancy. She is inspired by stories of exploration and discovery, stories that have been overlooked by history, and stories that grapple with persistent questions. Whether writing fiction or nonfiction for children or adults or teaching workshops, she hopes her work opens doors, opens minds, opens possibilities. 

MY REVIEW:
Besides oceanography, my favorite area of science to study when I was a middle-grade student was astronomy. My love for space is what prompted me to pick up this new book from the non-fiction shelves at the local public library.

The photographs and diagrams in this book are awesome! I learned so much about asteroids just by studying the photos and diagrams. They are detailed and colorful, and I felt as if they were a nice size for middle-grade readers.
 
The author has done a fantastic job of presenting complicated information in a reader-friendly manner. She shares some text from interviews she conducted with a geologist who studies craters and rock formations along with a NASA research scientist who is the curator of space rocks for NASA. There is also a passage about an astronomer who uses computers and high-powered telescopes to identify asteroids traveling through space. I feel this engaging material will be meaningful for young readers.

The enthusiasm these scientists exhibit and the excitement that comes through when they share about their various discoveries is a great example for middle-grade readers, I believe. It shows real-life examples of people who have followed their childhood passions when chosing what to study in college so they could attain work in their 'dream' career. It gives students hope that their future jobs don't have to be filled with drudgery. The individuals in this book are role models for youngsters interested in S.T.E.A.M. careers!

The back matter in the book includes a 'What You Can Do!' section which encourages youngsters to discover and track an asteroid, spot a fireball, and collect meteorites. There is a 'Learn More About Asteroids and Meteorites' section which includes print and online resources. The Glossary, which I wisely reviewed before I began reading the book, is thorough.

There is so much to like about this book! Highly-recommended for S.T.E.A.M. educators, parents/grandparents, middle-grade and higher grade students, and adults like me who enjoy reading about astronomy.

I borrowed a copy of this book from our local public library.
 ----------------------------------***CURRENT GIVEAWAYS:  Don't forget to check out my Current Giveaways Page before you leave the blog! I have a non-fiction gardening book, 'Perennials', just waiting to be claimed by two lucky US e-book winners! So click on over to see what interests you.***

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':  
-- Tuesday, April 17th: 'Julie' by Author Catherine Marshall. Book Blitz Tour hosted by JustRead Publicity. Includes a book spotlight, excerpt, and giveaway!
 
-- Wednesday, April 18th: 'Better With You' by Author Rachel John. Promo Post hosted by I Am A Reader. Includes a giveaway!
 
-- Thursday, April 19th: 'Whitcomb Springs' Trio April Blast with $50 Giveaway. Promo hosted by I Am A Reader.
 
-- Friday, April 20th: 'The Burnheart Redemption' Book Spotlight and Snippet. Hosted by SLB Tours.
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