Exoplanets

by Seymour Simon

Award-winning science writer Seymour Simon explores the farthest reaches of space in the brand-new Exoplanets!

There are thousands of exoplanets scattered throughout the Milky Way galaxy, and scientists are on a constant quest to find one just like Earth. In Exoplanets, Simon examines the planets outside of our solar system and uncovers what makes them habitable, our efforts to discover new life, and more.

With clear, simple text and stunning full-color photographs, readers will explore the farthest reaches of space and explore the answer to the question: do aliens exist?

This book includes an author's note, a glossary, an index, and supports the Common Core State Standards.

Genres: Nonfiction, Space

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 27, 2018

About the author

Seymour 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

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A typical Simon, with words on one side of the page and a full-page illustration facing the text. There was interesting information about planets that astronomers have discovered orbiting around distant suns. There is a mix of illustrations and photos; with the illustrations being suitably outer spacey. An excellent introduction.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction text covers the discovery of exoplanets and the techniques used by astronomers to find them. Much of the text explains the concept of the Goldilocks, or habitable zone planets, where life might be possible. There is also an exposition of the search for intelligent life beyond earth. Ideas are related in clear language, citing real-world examples. In general, each page has an accompanying illustrated page—a few of which are breathtaking. This is negated by illustrations that look like bad computer-generated imagery.
While these flaws are merely cosmetic, there are other drawbacks. Words that appear in the glossary are in bold print but are difficult to differentiate from the others. Complicated scientific concepts, while explained in the text, do not appear in the glossary. Furthermore, the glossary is rather small and appears on the very last page. Below it is a minuscule list for further research.
The recommended readership for this book is ages 6-10. Those on the lower range would not be able to read this book on their own. I do not even know if it would make good supplementary material to be read and explained by an adult to students at such a young age due to the difficulty of the material. Those in later elementary grades will find the book interesting and eye-opening. I give the book four stars, and this only because this is a cutting-edge subject about which there is little written for the suggested age group. (Reviewed by Charles Ross Hughes)

[SheReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for YA Books Central

A beautiful way to learn about some of the lesser known solar system facts.

I'm a fully-grown adult and learned a lot of new things from this children's book. Every child learns about the planets in our solar system and the characteristics of each. But this is something that's most likely new to them. Or, if they've learned it, they don't remember it with the same voracity of the facts about Mars or Venus.
Exoplanets. New ones are being discovered every day. This is ongoing science, not something discovered many years ago. And the information is presented in a gorgeous package. The imagery is incredible.

Final Verdict: A beautiful and well-done way to get children interested in this area of science.

[Douglas Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written for young children Simon's Exoplanets gives a nice summary of the history and current thinking about planets in solar systems outside our own. While mankind has speculated for centuries about the possibilities of life elsewhere in the galaxy, it's has only been in the past three or four decades that the existence of planets around other stars has been confirmed.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow...that was deep. The book talks not only of exoplanets but also of the possibility of life on other planets. Also discussed is the methods used to communicate with other life forms out there beyond our solar system.

Deep stuff.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Juvenile NF, not for tots, long. Also went into SETI and, the one thing I didn't already know, Breakthrough Listen. Photos used for illustrations are the best part, imo. Probably better for the target audience.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seymour Simon continues to amaze me with clear and concise writing about complicated topics that my third graders want to learn more about.

[Anjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read great children's book

[Jess]

Spring 2020

[Audrey]

Read for science class

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting into to the subject but the illustrations were a bit too Roswell for my tastes.

Q2021 book.

[Michael J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read. I read it in less than 30 minutes, gives you good information about neighboring stars and their planets.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Exoplanets" is a good book about our planets. Although it was a long and somewhat boring book for my liking I do think children would enjoy it as an informational book about the planets.