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Destination: Mars
Award-winning science writer Seymour Simon explores the Red Planet through fascinating facts and amazing full-color photographs. Readers will learn about the recent discovery of water, the Valles Marineris—the biggest valley on Mars—the ice caps, recent expeditions, and more.
This updated edition includes:
author’s note
stunning full-color photographs
glossary
index
websites and additional reading sources
Supports the Common Core Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) standards.
This updated edition includes:
author’s note
stunning full-color photographs
glossary
index
websites and additional reading sources
Supports the Common Core Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) standards.
32 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2000
1 person is currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Seymour Simon
323 books127 followersSeymour Simon, whom the NY Times called "the dean of [children's science:] writers," is the author of more than 250 highly acclaimed science books (many of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association).
Seymour Simon uses his website, SeymourSimon.com, to provide free downloads of a wealth of materials for educators, homeschoolers and parents to use with his books, including 4-page Teacher Guides for all 26 of his Collins/Smithsonian photo essay books. The site provides multiple resources for kids writing book reports or wanting to explore the online Science Dictionary, and also features the Seymour Science blog highlighting current science news. Educators and families are encouraged to sign up to receive the monthly newsletter from SeymourSimon.com to stay abreast of the latest materials that Seymour Simon is introducing to enrich the reading experience.
He taught science and creative writing in elementary and secondary schools and was chair of the science department at a junior high school in the New York City public school system before leaving to become a full-time writer. "I haven't really given up teaching," he says, "and I suppose I never will, not as long as I keep writing and talking to kids around the country and the world."
Seymour Simon is also a creator and the author of a series of 3D books and a series of Glow-in-the-Dark Books for Scholastic Book Clubs, a series of leveled SEEMORE READERS for Chronicle Books, and the EINSTEIN ANDERSON, SCIENCE DETECTIVE series of fiction books. His books encourage children to enjoy the world around them through learning and discovery, and by making science fun. He has introduced tens of millions of children to a staggering array of subjects; one prominent science education specialist described Simon's books as "extraordinary examples of expository prose."
Seymour Simon has been honored with many awards for his work, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children's science literature; the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature; the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library for his contribution to children's science literature; The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Non-fiction; the Jeremiah Ludington Award for his outstanding contribution to children's nonfiction; the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Forum on Children's Science Books.
In a recent interview Simon was asked if he ever thinks of retiring. "I seem to be working faster and harder than ever. I absolutely don't feel any urge to sit back and look at what I've done. The only things that I'm thinking about are things I'd like to do in the future. I'm planning and doing and continuing to write. It's what I love to do. I remember a story about an anthropologist going to talk to a tribe and he asked them what was their word for "work." Their response was they have no word for work. Everybody does the things that they do in their life. I love that response. I don't differentiate between work and play. Everything I do is something that I enjoy doing - the writing, the research and everything else."
Seymour Simon writes and photographs nature from his hilltop home in Columbia County in upstate New York, where he lives with his wife Liz Nealon.
You can follow Seymour on Facebook and on Twitter, as well as on his website, which offers free, downloadable Teacher Guides to his books for educators, parents and homeschoolers, as well as the popular Seymour Science Daily Blo
Seymour Simon uses his website, SeymourSimon.com, to provide free downloads of a wealth of materials for educators, homeschoolers and parents to use with his books, including 4-page Teacher Guides for all 26 of his Collins/Smithsonian photo essay books. The site provides multiple resources for kids writing book reports or wanting to explore the online Science Dictionary, and also features the Seymour Science blog highlighting current science news. Educators and families are encouraged to sign up to receive the monthly newsletter from SeymourSimon.com to stay abreast of the latest materials that Seymour Simon is introducing to enrich the reading experience.
He taught science and creative writing in elementary and secondary schools and was chair of the science department at a junior high school in the New York City public school system before leaving to become a full-time writer. "I haven't really given up teaching," he says, "and I suppose I never will, not as long as I keep writing and talking to kids around the country and the world."
Seymour Simon is also a creator and the author of a series of 3D books and a series of Glow-in-the-Dark Books for Scholastic Book Clubs, a series of leveled SEEMORE READERS for Chronicle Books, and the EINSTEIN ANDERSON, SCIENCE DETECTIVE series of fiction books. His books encourage children to enjoy the world around them through learning and discovery, and by making science fun. He has introduced tens of millions of children to a staggering array of subjects; one prominent science education specialist described Simon's books as "extraordinary examples of expository prose."
Seymour Simon has been honored with many awards for his work, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children's science literature; the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature; the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library for his contribution to children's science literature; The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Non-fiction; the Jeremiah Ludington Award for his outstanding contribution to children's nonfiction; the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Forum on Children's Science Books.
In a recent interview Simon was asked if he ever thinks of retiring. "I seem to be working faster and harder than ever. I absolutely don't feel any urge to sit back and look at what I've done. The only things that I'm thinking about are things I'd like to do in the future. I'm planning and doing and continuing to write. It's what I love to do. I remember a story about an anthropologist going to talk to a tribe and he asked them what was their word for "work." Their response was they have no word for work. Everybody does the things that they do in their life. I love that response. I don't differentiate between work and play. Everything I do is something that I enjoy doing - the writing, the research and everything else."
Seymour Simon writes and photographs nature from his hilltop home in Columbia County in upstate New York, where he lives with his wife Liz Nealon.
You can follow Seymour on Facebook and on Twitter, as well as on his website, which offers free, downloadable Teacher Guides to his books for educators, parents and homeschoolers, as well as the popular Seymour Science Daily Blo
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 9, 2017
This is a great revised edition of the previous book. The photographs are crisp and precise. There are lots of fun facts about Mars. I would recommend this for any collection owning the previous title.
January 1, 2018
I thought that this was a very neat little book! I definitely learned facts about Mars that I didn't already know, and they're fun to talk about. I would definitely recommend this to any parent or child looking to find out more about the Milky Way's best red planet!
June 7, 2017
#Mars #Life #Red #Planet #YoungReaders #PictureBook #BookReview #ChildrensBooks #amreading Past, present and future of Mars exquisitely portrayed.
April 8, 2018
A fantastic introduction to the Red planet.
January 23, 2021
This one has been updated with the rovers and some awesome pictures - my students loved it!
Q2021 book
Q2021 book
December 9, 2014
This book discusses all important features and facts about Mars that could be useful for any person learning about this planet.
I really enjoy how factual this book is for readers. The language and vocabulary used is the perfect amount of understanding and challenging for young readers. I also think that Simon does a good job at giving many details and facts through the book that make it more interesting and fun for young readers. What I really like about this book is that it discusses all different aspects of Mars and then gives the reader a timeline of the history of Mars and what we have done to learn more about the planet and what we are continuing to do. To me this leaves the reader with some room for imagination on all the possibilities that could come out of researching the planet. The only thing about the facts present is that they are very outdated and since the book came out in 1987 we have learned more about Mars and have greatly continued our research. However, I still think that this book gives young readers a good understanding of what Mars is like and all the different aspects of the planet.
Simon, S. (2000). Destination, Mars. New York: Morrow Junior Books.
I really enjoy how factual this book is for readers. The language and vocabulary used is the perfect amount of understanding and challenging for young readers. I also think that Simon does a good job at giving many details and facts through the book that make it more interesting and fun for young readers. What I really like about this book is that it discusses all different aspects of Mars and then gives the reader a timeline of the history of Mars and what we have done to learn more about the planet and what we are continuing to do. To me this leaves the reader with some room for imagination on all the possibilities that could come out of researching the planet. The only thing about the facts present is that they are very outdated and since the book came out in 1987 we have learned more about Mars and have greatly continued our research. However, I still think that this book gives young readers a good understanding of what Mars is like and all the different aspects of the planet.
Simon, S. (2000). Destination, Mars. New York: Morrow Junior Books.
November 7, 2016
•No awards
•Grade 1-3
•Take a trip into space as you learn about Mars and its history. See the surface of the Martian world, learn about the red sand and even about the Mars Rover! One day people will land on Mars, and perhaps even live on the planet.
•As part of a series this book makes learning very easy. It covers a lot of information about all different aspects of the planet (i.e. history, size, ice etc.). The photographs in the book are of great quality showing pronounced details in everyone.
5) This book can be used during a space themed time period. This book can be good for an independent read for children interested in space. Another use can be as a source for a chart on information on the planets. This book comes in a series and each day a new book can be used to gather more information for the charts.
•Grade 1-3
•Take a trip into space as you learn about Mars and its history. See the surface of the Martian world, learn about the red sand and even about the Mars Rover! One day people will land on Mars, and perhaps even live on the planet.
•As part of a series this book makes learning very easy. It covers a lot of information about all different aspects of the planet (i.e. history, size, ice etc.). The photographs in the book are of great quality showing pronounced details in everyone.
5) This book can be used during a space themed time period. This book can be good for an independent read for children interested in space. Another use can be as a source for a chart on information on the planets. This book comes in a series and each day a new book can be used to gather more information for the charts.
December 1, 2016
In this informational picture book, Seymour Simon talks about the Red Planet from research and beautfiul photographs straight from NASA. In this book you will learn about the water, the Valles Marineris, the ice caps, recent expeditions, and so much more.
I really enjoyed this books because it is learning about one of our many planets and viewing actual images of Mars that NASA took. I think this book is a great books for children between the ages of six to 19 because they are learning something new and learning everything about Mars. This book even talks about people hundreds of years ago studying Mars. I think children will get a lot out of this book from the pictures he provides, the glossary of the terms from the text he highlighted, and just being able to experience what Mars is like.
I really enjoyed this books because it is learning about one of our many planets and viewing actual images of Mars that NASA took. I think this book is a great books for children between the ages of six to 19 because they are learning something new and learning everything about Mars. This book even talks about people hundreds of years ago studying Mars. I think children will get a lot out of this book from the pictures he provides, the glossary of the terms from the text he highlighted, and just being able to experience what Mars is like.
September 12, 2016
A solid entry for kids in their space phase to learn about the current state of Mars - including some of the future Mars missions being planned.
This book could also be good as a "crash course" for an adult wanting to know what the recent developments in Martian exploration are. The language is simple, but the book doesn't condescend.
A glossary is in the back, as well as links to NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory websites.
This book could also be good as a "crash course" for an adult wanting to know what the recent developments in Martian exploration are. The language is simple, but the book doesn't condescend.
A glossary is in the back, as well as links to NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory websites.
March 21, 2016
Destination: Mars
Simon, Seymour *"a good resource for children about mars and its environs that they may want to learn to focus their solar system exploration
"
Simon, Seymour *"a good resource for children about mars and its environs that they may want to learn to focus their solar system exploration
"
March 15, 2012
its so cool !!!!
September 13, 2016
Destination: Mars makes me want to read The Martian.
September 13, 2016
Destination: Mars makes me want to read The Martian.
May 3, 2020
Love the pictures and good information. A child would enjoy this book
April 27, 2017
Picture Book (nonfiction). Great book with current information and facts about Mars. Great book to have in my class library.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews