Robin Hirst

My Place in Space was about two children, Henry and Rosie Wilson, who attempt to get on a bus to go home, when the driver asks them if they even know where they live. Henry and Rosie begin to describe their home from the street address to the galaxy to the constellation the planet Earth is contained within.

I had mixed reactions to this one. I'm interested in science and space fiction so that's why I chose it. But several things disappointed me about it. One, the story itself consists of nothing but the children trying to get on the bus, then having to tell the driver where they lived. Two, as much as I love astronomy, and considering I am 23, I was actually bored by the informative parts, and I felt like the information was a bit heavy. The facts they gave were simple, but I can imagine the terminology being a hindrance to children who have never heard of a hemisphere or understand the math behind lightyears. Three, the illustrations, though humorous and interesting (bringing to mind a Where's Waldo book), contained some objectionable images that certainly did not have to be in a child's book. A man being decapitated as a fountain of blood shot out of his neck, for example. Or a man being impaled by a fence post...

Obviously this would be ideal for introducing students, perhaps those who are serious about space study, to that science. This book was advanced enough for slightly older students to read it and possibly being to learn some of the math involved in calculating distance.… (meer)