Astrophysicist and Space Advocate Neil deGrasse Tyson

April 1, 2014

Gr 3-5-This rather unique series takes on some high-interest topics (reality game designer, robotics inventor, astrophysicist) and pairs them with high-profile individuals in those respective fields. Their stories begin with a pivotal point in the person's childhood that peaked their interest in the career, then builds to adulthood, covering highlights, contributions, and ways they've shared their accomplishments with others within, and outside of, the field. Fact boxes of additional information, quotations, and well-produced and clearly captioned, full-color photographs are interspersed throughout the attractive layout. However, the writing is rather pedestrian.

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2014
Grades 2-4 This swift-moving overview of the affable astrophysicist's career focuses on the origin and growth of his interest in space science, and also his unusual aptitude for communicating scientific ideas and discoveries to public audiences. That interest was kindled by a visit at age 9 to New York's Hayden Planetarium (which he now supervises) and nurtured by the acquisition of a telescope at 11 for sky watching from the roof of his Bronx apartment building. His career grew to encompass advanced degrees, appointment to a presidential commission, and many television appearances. Ventura also uses notes and quotes to make the perhaps arguable but cogent point that Tyson is the only African American on TV who is consulted for expertise that is unrelated to his race. This entry in the STEM Trailblazer Bios series features sidebar quotations, photos of Tyson (as an adult) and other images, and appropriate quantities of back matter.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)