The Secret Galaxy

Gr 3–6—The wonder of outer space is emphasized in this slight but awe-inspiring look at our galaxy, its stars, gases, dust, and the mysterious black matter that surrounds it all. The evocative main text, written in first person as if spoken by the Milky Way, makes references to mythology and blends facts with questions addressing the unknown ("What am I really? I am neither milk nor corn meal…"). Our connection to the stuff of stars, their birth and death, and the size and shape of our galaxy are all touched upon, along with black holes and the expansion of the universe. Besides the main text, each spread includes a factual sidebar and a captioned photo of space. Many of the images are unique to this title and were taken throughout the United States. While this is not a necessary addition to most collections, it's a thought-provoking starting point for a study of the universe.—Carol S. Surges, formerly at Longfellow Middle School, Wauwatosa, WI