When Is a Planet Not a Planet?: The Story of Pluto

by Elaine Scott Narrated by Pete Larkin

Overview

Q: When is a planet not a planet?

Scientists have argued for years over the answer to this question. And central to their debate has been Pluto, the tiny orb circling the Sun at the outermost reaches of our solar system. Then on August 24, 2006, a group of astronomers made a big announcement: Pluto could no longer be considered a planet.
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This fascinating and breathtaking audiobook explains in simple terms how advancements in technology have changed our understanding of the universe-and exactly how and why the number of planets in our solar system went from nine to eight.

Editorial Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

Joining the rush of revised views of the solar system for young readers that has been following in the wake of the International Astronomical Union's decision to redefine Pluto (and some other fellow wanderers) as "dwarf planets" rather than the full-fledged sort, this production shows several signs of haste, from a narrative that fails to note that Pluto has more than one moon to a chapter that opens with a full page, uncaptioned photo of a vague smear of light. Scott launches into a clear, simply phrased but standard and mostly off-topic history of astronomy and the discovery of our solar system. Aside from that blur, the accompanying space photos, diagrams, artists' conceptions and art reproductions are up to this author's and publisher's usual high quality, but as more focused, considered treatments of the topic are already available or likely to be coming soon, don't rush to buy this one. (index, reading list) (Nonfiction. 9-11)

From the Publisher

"Through engaging and child-friendly language, Scott discusses the history ... behind the discovery of the nine planets.... A great resource." School Library Journal, Starred

"Beautifully designed.... A good choice for updating astronomy collections." Booklist, ALA

Illustrations include photographs of astronomers and outer space; artists' renderings of simulations, such as a protoplanetary disk forming around a star; and diagrams of various planetary features. A glossary, recommended readings and websites, and an index round out the book.
Horn Book

Horn Book

Color photos and diagrams are both attractive and informative, and slightly oversized fonts makes the subject seem less daunting.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"This is a great example to show students the power of research...an outstanding title." LMC January 2008 Library Media Connection

JUN/JUL 08 - AudioFile

Elaine Scott's book does more than explain the demotion of Pluto to dwarf planet—it places the evolution of our understanding of the solar system on a historical time line. Pete Larkin's narration is accessible to young listeners. His pace is comfortable—not so fast that youngsters will get lost nor so slow that they’ll disengage. The weakness of the production is the sci-fi-sounding musical interludes that introduce “Space Facts”—mini-biographies of scientific pioneers such as Ptolmey and Kepler. These occur often enough to significantly disrupt the flow of the material. The glossary explains the language of astronomers in terms that 7-12-year-old students can understand. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172023330
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	01/08/2008
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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