Awards

• Cybils Nominee

Overview

Journey far beyond our solar system and explore the marvels of interstellar space. A wonder-filled poem and spectacular illustrations bring readers across the observable universe to encounter dwarf planets, black holes, brand-new stars, and other incredible phenomena. Award-winning author Miranda Paul and illustrator Sija Hong present a fresh and fascinating journey to the outer reaches of outer space.

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9781541577565

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Reviews

Paul's (Nine Months, rev. 5/19) resonant verse examines phenomena in the far reaches of the universe, 'Stretching the limits / of what we can detect / (but not what we can imagine).' The familiar planets of our solar system, presented in an extended prologue before the title page, are an appetizer for the spectacular illustrations and awe-filled verse that portray and describe distant nebulae, black holes, exoplanets, and star clusters. Readers are invited to observe the characteristics of each and wonder about its formation, such as that of the Virgo supercluster: 'Thousands of swirls and spirals / have already accepted their invitation to this thirteen-billion-year-old campfire. / Dark matter lures the speckled crowd like an intergalactic host.' Scientific explanations provided in the back matter ('Beyond the Poems') are equally awe-inspiring, tantalizing readers with concepts such as dark energy, life on other planets, and the multiverse. Hong's creative, dynamic digital illustrations explode across the double-page spreads, using deep-space black backgrounds and contrasting bright-white space imagery but embellished with colored beams, arcs, stars, dots, and diamonds that are simultaneously mathematical and magical. Also appended are author and illustrator notes and a bibliography.--The Horn Book Magazine -- Journal (5/1/2021 12:00:00 AM) In lyrical verse, Paul introduces readers to the wonders of interstellar space, including the Kuiper belt, the Oort Cloud, the Milky Way, the Helix Nebula, the Orion Nebula, Sagittarius A, the Virgo Cluster, and more. Each spread contains a stanza celebrating a particular entity. 'A swarm of icy bodies--some as big as mountains-- / forms a cloudy border around our cosmic village' begins her description of the Oort Cloud, for example. Throughout, she emphasizes the marvels of these celestial bodies rather than specific facts, although a few figures are inserted into orb-shaped sidebars within the illustrations. Hong's digital artwork has an ethereal quality and flows from page to page, somewhat like tie-dye in process. Using a palette of blues and purples, accented in roses and greens, she deftly depicts dwarf planets, black holes, and dying stars; her use of light and dark is particularly effective. While this will not serve the needs of report writers, it makes a beautiful introduction to primary units on space. Appended with generous back matter.--Booklist -- Journal (3/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

In lyrical verse, Paul introduces readers to the wonders of interstellar space, including the Kuiper belt, the Oort Cloud, the Milky Way, the Helix Nebula, the Orion Nebula, Sagittarius A, the Virgo Cluster, and more. Each spread contains a stanza celebrating a particular entity. 'A swarm of icy bodies--some as big as mountains-- / forms a cloudy border around our cosmic village' begins her description of the Oort Cloud, for example. Throughout, she emphasizes the marvels of these celestial bodies rather than specific facts, although a few figures are inserted into orb-shaped sidebars within the illustrations. Hong's digital artwork has an ethereal quality and flows from page to page, somewhat like tie-dye in process. Using a palette of blues and purples, accented in roses and greens, she deftly depicts dwarf planets, black holes, and dying stars; her use of light and dark is particularly effective. While this will not serve the needs of report writers, it makes a beautiful introduction to primary units on space. Appended with generous back matter.--Booklist -- Journal (3/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

Miranda Paul is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books for children, including One Plastic Bag and Boston Globe–Horn Book Honoree Nine Months Before a Baby Is Born. Miranda is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books and serves as its mentorship chair. In 2024 she received the Notable Wisconsin Authors Award for her contributions to children's literature. Learn more at mirandapaul.com. Sija Hong is an award-winning Chinese illustrator who once dreamed of being an astronaut. As she created this book, she drew on all her love and passion for the universe. The scope of her work includes magazines, murals, games, and apps as well as books. Sija lives in New York City, and Beyond is her US debut. sijahong.com

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