The Mystery of Mars (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Tam O'Shaughnessy (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Actually a physical portrait of two planets, this survey draws illuminating parallels and contrasts between the history, structure, and current state of both Earth and Mars. Imparting a vivid sense of how inhospitable the red planet is, at least to life as we know it, Ride and O'Shaughnessy supply a lively mix of sweeping claims ("Mars has the largest volcanoes and the longest, deepest canyons in the entire solar system"), specific observations, and logical extrapolations. The authors' comments are enhanced by a generous array of computer graphics, precisely detailed paintings, and recent photographs from both space and ground level. The material includes information gathered from the 1997 Pathfinder mission and a mention of the Mars Climate Orbiter, though not of the latter's failure. The book is capped by a time line of Mars missions through 2001 and a well-chosen list of Web sites, making it a good, if already dated, replacement for any book on this subject more than two years old.
John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Although the fate of the latest mission is still unknown, contemporary fascination with Mars remains unabated. In this third collaboration for children, Ride and O'Shaughnessy offer an excellent introduction to the red planet. "Earth and Mars share a common beginning. But the two planets evolved very differently," they write. "Why did Mars follow one path while Earth followed another?" Jumping off from this central question, the authors offer factual comparisons between the two planets, interspersed with information on the exploration of Mars, and historical background on those who believe the planet has supported life. The book's visuals are stunning: photographs taken from space pop off the black pages, and there are charts and sophisticated artist renderings throughout. A concluding "Mars Mission Time Line," with a listing of Web resources, rounds out a fine resource for young ones with Martian fever. Gillian Engberg

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (November 23, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517709716
• ISBN-13: 978-0517709719
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,410,860 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book on Mars!, November 22, 1999

By A Customer

This is a wonderful, timely book. It's beautifully written and is full of spectacular pictures and illustrations. It includes the latest information from Pathfinder, Sojourner, and Global Surveyor, and has particularly interesting comparisons of Earth and Mars. I've always been fascinated by Mars, and now my kids are too!

3.0 out of 5 stars Dated, but still enjoyable., March 10, 2008

By	Robert P. Beveridge "xterminal" (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Sally Ride, The Mystery of Mars (Crown, 1999)

Ride, the first American woman in space, offers up a kid-sized overview of Mars, the text supplemented by a wealth of photos and artists' renderings of the planet. While the book is dated now-- a number of the missions she mentions that were projected for the early part of this decade were scrapped-- there's still a great deal about the planet itself here that;s worthwhile, and Ride takes the very interesting tack of comparing the evolution of Mars with the evolution of Earth, which should be good for helping kids get a clearer picture of why the two planets are so different. Interesting. ***

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great space science read for kids!, February 7, 2000

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

In 1997 NASA's Pathfinder became the first spacecraft to tough down on Mars: Mystery of Mars draws on the results of that mission and upon other Mars studies to provide a fine overview of Mars science and exploration.