Space Station Science is a must for families with space-happy kids. It covers getting there, coming home, and everything in between.

With easy-to-understand explanations and lots of hands-on activities, author Marianne Dyson takes the reader into space. Along the way she explains how it’s possible to fall without hitting the ground while up in space, get rid of heat inside the station without rolling down the windows, communicate with Earth, and work while wearing a space suit.

Dyson, former NASA Mission Controller, also includes activities for young readers. There’s one about packing a space lunch, another to demonstrate how liquids behave in space, and a great way to decide if you should trust your eyes or your inner ears in outer space.

Technical explanations are paired with wonderful illustrations and photographs. The language is friendly and engaging.

One of the best parts of this book is the behind-the-scenes understanding of the way things are done at NASA and on the Space Station. Even something as seemingly simple as selecting the foods that will go into space, has a procedure to be followed. Dyson not only gives the reader the inside scoop, but gives them a way to try it out with their favorite foods.

All in all, Space Station Science answered all the things I wondered about – as well as many that I’d never considered!

© 2007 Gina Hagler