My Very Elegant Mother Just Served Us......
Nachos?
We all know the order of the planets, but back in second grade when we were learning them, your teacher might have given you a fun saying to help with memorization. I learned it as My (Mercury) Very (Venus) Elegant (Earth) Mother (Mars) Just (Jupiter) Served (Saturn) Us (Uranus) Nine (Neptune) Pizzas (Pluto). In 2004, 2005, and 2006, I gave me second grade classes the same saying to help them remember. (Complete with a pizza worksheet.) But, my team and I had to do some thinking when we were readying ourselves for The Space Unit in the Spring of 2007.
Pluto's status as a planet had been changed during the International Astronomical Union Meeting in August of 2006. It was no longer a planet, but had been put into an entirely new group of celestial objects all together - dwarf planets. So, we dropped 'Pizzas' and changed 'Nine' to 'Nachos'.
Then, we muddled our way through explaining what exactly a dwarf planet is and why Pluto fit the bill. (Note the verb muddled.)
Well,
muddle no longer, teachers and parents. Here's a book that can help.
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| image from abramsbooks.com | |
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Pluto's Secret
An Icy World's Tale of Discovery
by Margaret A. Weitekamp with David DeVorkin
ill. by Diane Kidd
Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers in association with
Pluto was discovered by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, but it has always held a bit of mystery for astronomers. Its orbit differs from that of the other planets, it changes places with Neptune at times, and it has other icy worlds near it.
Astronomers took into account these "oddities," which were slowly revealed to them through advances in technology, when they created the Dwarf Planet category. Many people responded to the change by being upset and offended.
The creators of Pluto's Secret present the change in such a way that the reader feels it was the right thing to do. The illustrations are whimsy and fun, and Pluto is personified in such a way that his charisma is captivating.
The idea that Pluto is not a traditional planet is Pluto's secret. He knows it all along, he's just patiently waiting for us silly humans to figure it out. And, to Pluto's delight, we did - he even shouts "BINGO!"
So, what makes this book a great one to have in classrooms and libraries? Goodness, where to begin?
Pluto's Secret is 35 pages of accessible history, science, and emotion. This one book has the potential to reach a vast audience and make an impression on each reader in a variety of ways.
First, it gives us, in simple terms, Pluto's story: how it was discovered, named, and later reclassified.
Second, it helps our very youngest readers, who happen to be tomorrow's question askers and answer seekers, that science is always changing - it's the nature of the field.
Third, it promotes patience and acceptance. Pluto waits for the scientists on Earth to determine what (or who) he really is, all the while he stays happy even as he looks down on the people picketing his reclassification. He's proud of what he is and is confidant that he will be accepted.
Weitekamp, DeVorkin, and Kidd's work is complete with historical photographs, a selective glossary, a suggested reading list, and a note from the museum which states "Scientists will continue to uncover the secrets of Pluto...for years to come." Isn't that something our children can look forward to?
It is my hope that this book will find itself in classroom, school, public, and personal libraries everywhere. It has so much to offer in so many ways. I can't thank the creators enough for bringing this book to publication.
So, give Pluto's Secret a read, I think it is something you will ENJOY!
**Disclaimer: My reviews are my own. I have not been asked to review the above title by any person, organization, or company. This review reflects my own opinion(s) of the above mentioned book. Thank you, Morgan
