What would it be like for a kid to tour our solar system? In this clever trip through the solar system, a diverse group of girls and boys explore every planet with their robot guide, Dr. Quasar. Facts about our galaxy, solar system, the sun, and each planet are revealed as the kids visit Mercury, Venus, Earth and its moon, through the asteroid belt, on to the planets in the outer reaches of the solar system, and finally to the dwarf planet Pluto. Scientifically accurate, full-color illustrations show young readers the difference between planets, comets, asteroids, and other parts of the universe. As the kids write funny postcards home, they share more facts about each planet in an appealing kid-friendly way that helps introduce space and the unique aspects of our solar system. A short list of "space words" at the back of the book reminds readers about important concepts and vocabulary. Great for classroom use to introduce the solar system and space as well as for young explorers interested in space and science.

Dr. Quasar gives a group of children a tour of the solar system, describing each of the planets from Mercury to Pluto.

Shocked to be stripped of his planet status, Pluto goes on a quest to find his place in the universe. Includes educational materials.

A definitive collection of the very best short stories by contemporary American masters Edited by Joyce Carol Oates, "the living master of the short story" (Buffalo News), and Christopher R. Beha, this volume provides an important overview of the contemporary short story and a selection of the very best that American short fiction has to offer.

The solar system most of us grew up with included nine planets, with Mercury closest to the sun and Pluto at the outer edge. Then, in 2005, astronomer Mike Brown made the discovery of a lifetime: a tenth planet, Eris, slightly bigger than Pluto. But instead of adding one more planet to our solar system, Brown’s find ignited a firestorm of controversy that culminated in the demotion of Pluto from real planet to the newly coined category of “dwarf” planet. Suddenly Brown was receiving hate mail from schoolchildren and being bombarded by TV reporters—all because of the discovery he had spent years searching for and a lifetime dreaming about. A heartfelt and personal journey filled with both humor and drama, How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming is the book for anyone, young or old, who has ever imagined exploring the universe—and who among us hasn’t?

"Mrs. Hall says we have to keep writing, it is a dying art. 'Good, let it die,' I said, and then she said, 'You are staying in at break Jon Fisher.'" Jon's teacher has started an interplanetary penpal program. Much to Jon's annoyance, his penpal, Straxi, is from Pluto, the most boring, smelliest and far away place possible. And if that wasn't bad enough, she's a girl!