Reviews
The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity by Elizabeth Rusch
caroparr's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating, well told and beautifully illustrated (though a bit heavy on the photos of the main scientist). RIP Spirit, now, on to Curiosity!
kazalicious's review against another edition
3.0
This book contains a lot of information on small text. It should be geared toward 5/6th grade because of the writing structure and work choices but it definitely has enough information for older kids to enjoy as well. I did appreciate the abundance of photos and the extra facts included. I found the story of Opportunity being stuck really interesting. I hadn't realized it had taken 6 weeks to get out of the sand dune.
I would use this book for reports or those interested in the rovers.
I would use this book for reports or those interested in the rovers.
misspentdays's review against another edition
The story of two NASA rovers, and the team that ran them, exploring Mars while exceeding predicted results.
Capturing the sense of hope and daring NASA seeks to inspire, this is a middle grade read perfect for both science and science fiction fans. This is not just a "space is cool" story, but uses plenty of detail to show what goes into these missions. From team leader Steve Squyres developing interest in space, to the public contest to name the rovers, there is all sorts of detail that really fills out the story. The book not only shows us what goes into the missions at a grade appropriate level, it lets us see why these missions are important.
Elizabeth Rusch, who previously brought Nikola Tesla to life in Electrical Wizard, does a great job of making the reader a part of the rover team. She includes several pages of additional material, including a glossary and bibliography, and most importantly, a link to NASA's site on the rovers for port-printing updates!
While this book seems like an obvious fit for a science class, it would also be a fantastic addition to a robotics class. By telling the story through the earth team, the inspiration factor increases. Seeing challenges faced by the team allows students to witness successful persistence in the face of seeming defeat. This is an important lesson for students, especially those who either do not want to start because they will not do it perfectly the first time or who drop a project at the first challenge.
An essential purchase for middle schools and public libraries.
Capturing the sense of hope and daring NASA seeks to inspire, this is a middle grade read perfect for both science and science fiction fans. This is not just a "space is cool" story, but uses plenty of detail to show what goes into these missions. From team leader Steve Squyres developing interest in space, to the public contest to name the rovers, there is all sorts of detail that really fills out the story. The book not only shows us what goes into the missions at a grade appropriate level, it lets us see why these missions are important.
Elizabeth Rusch, who previously brought Nikola Tesla to life in Electrical Wizard, does a great job of making the reader a part of the rover team. She includes several pages of additional material, including a glossary and bibliography, and most importantly, a link to NASA's site on the rovers for port-printing updates!
While this book seems like an obvious fit for a science class, it would also be a fantastic addition to a robotics class. By telling the story through the earth team, the inspiration factor increases. Seeing challenges faced by the team allows students to witness successful persistence in the face of seeming defeat. This is an important lesson for students, especially those who either do not want to start because they will not do it perfectly the first time or who drop a project at the first challenge.
An essential purchase for middle schools and public libraries.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
In addition to the great research, photos, and back matter that we've come to expect from the Scientists in the Field series, Elizabeth Rusch manages to bring the two Mars rovers to life, allowing the reader to feels like she knows them just as the scientists who worked on them knew them. The reader truly gets a glimpse into what the Mars rover scientists felt like as they cared for and guided the rovers from so many miles away.
This is an excellent addition to the series and one you will NOT want to miss for your library shelves, particularly if you have space-themed programming to go along with the summer reading "Dream Big" theme.
This is an excellent addition to the series and one you will NOT want to miss for your library shelves, particularly if you have space-themed programming to go along with the summer reading "Dream Big" theme.
imperfectcj's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.0
This is a fun and informative book that gives young people (and their parents) a peek into what exploration of other planets entails. Rusch does a good job of representing both the exciting highlights and the long stretches of waiting for communications between Earth and Mars. My 11-year-old is more of a history kid, but he enjoyed it fairly well. (This is a title from the Level 6 Build Your Library curriculum booklist.)
luann's review
4.0
This is another great addition to the Scientists in the Field series. Reading books like this makes me feel smarter! Or at the very least I learn some great trivia facts to sprinkle into conversations. :) Elizabeth Rusch did a great job of keeping my interest in the story and helping me not get bogged down or discouraged with too many technical details. The photos also helped a lot in clarifying details of the story.
After finishing this, I had to check out the latest updates on the rovers at: http://marsrover.nasa.gov
I feel like I should have known, but I had no idea that Opportunity is STILL rolling around up there on Mars! It was launched on July 7, 2003. That is AMAZING for a rover who was only expected to last about three months!
This is a 2015 Grand Canyon Reader Award nominee.
After finishing this, I had to check out the latest updates on the rovers at: http://marsrover.nasa.gov
I feel like I should have known, but I had no idea that Opportunity is STILL rolling around up there on Mars! It was launched on July 7, 2003. That is AMAZING for a rover who was only expected to last about three months!
This is a 2015 Grand Canyon Reader Award nominee.
brucefarrar's review
4.0
In the summer of 2003 NASA launched two identical robot probes towards Mars. Named Spirit and Opportunity they landed successfully on opposite sides of the red planet to begin their three month mission. Unlike previous probes they were mobile vehicles designed to move about the surface and take rock samples. They discovered evidence that water once existed on the Martian surface. Tougher than expected their three-month mission was extended into years and covered far more of the planet’s surface than had been planned. A decade later Opportunity is still roving and exploring the Martian landscape.
Rusch’s colorful history of extraterrestrial exploration accurately transmits the passion and determination of the mission’s human engineers and scientists. It also documents their emotional ties to the rovers, ties that are transmitted to the reader.
Rusch’s colorful history of extraterrestrial exploration accurately transmits the passion and determination of the mission’s human engineers and scientists. It also documents their emotional ties to the rovers, ties that are transmitted to the reader.
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