MARIANNEDYSON.COM

Reviewed by: Marianne Dyson, Posted July 5, 2008 

I’ve discovered that a fast and efficient way to obtain a working knowledge of a subject is to read the children’s nonfiction books on that topic. So with a desire to learn more about planetary defense, I checked out Killer Rocks From Outer Space: Asteroids, Comets, and Meteorites from my local library. This excellent book covered everything from how to recognize a meteorite to the nature of the continuing threat of asteroids to life on Earth.

Targeted (sorry, couldn’t resist!) to middle-school readers, first-time author Steven Koppes lets facts (such as that the impact that formed Meteor Crater in Arizona generated hurricane-force winds for 12 miles) speak for themselves rather than adding unnecessary hype and sensationalism. The difference between evidence and interpretation of that evidence is maintained throughout the book, with solid scientific sources cited for all facts. 

Full review: http://www.mariannedyson.com/reviews/revKillerRocks.htm 

SCIENCE NEWS FOR KIDS
May 18, 2005

Books recommended by SearchIt!Science:

Killer Rocks from Outer Space: Asteroids, Comets and Meteorites
Steven N. Koppes
Published by Lerner Publishing, 2004.

Yes, there are lumps of dusty ice silently streaking through space as you read this. So what, you might ask? Well, just one of these lumps is capable of wiping out our entire civilization—if it were to hit Earth. This fascinating book traces the history of impacts upon planet Earth. It explains how scientists track asteroids and comets. Also, it goes in depth into how we recognize impact craters and scars, using Meteor Crater in Arizona as an example and discussing astroblemes and tektites. Then, the book discusses what happened to the dinosaurs, mass extinctions, impacts upon other planets, and the present and future threat of meteor collisions.

Reprinted with permission of Heinemann, publisher of SearchIt!Science
http://searchit.heinemann.com/


LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION
April/May 2004

A catchy title, colorful cover, and well-written and interesting information combine to make this unusual science book one that students will find useful for research projects. Beginning with the introduction about a comet crashing into Jupiter in 1994, and followed by a chapter on recognizing meteorites and impact craters, students will learn about the study of the asteroids, comets and meteorites, and their impact, often violent, on our earth. The chapter on periodic mass extinctions informs readers that there have been at least half a dozen mass extinctions in Earth's history, but it is unknown how many, if any, of the mass extinctions could have been caused by cosmic impacts. In the chapter “Defending Planet Earth,” various schemes are shared to prevent the collision of a large asteroid into earth. This book will find many readers and should inspire students to further study astronomy. Along with the many excellent photos, included are maps, charts, glossary, suggested books and Web sites, and index. Highly recommended.

Reprinted by permission from Library Media Connection, Volume 22, Issue 7, copyright © 2004 by Linworth Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.


SCIENCE BOOKS & FILMS
March/April 2004

This fine, well-written, excellently illustrated popularization helps the reader understand the several space objects that are the subject of its title. The author includes historical material describing how our knowledge of these objects has grown and how these inhabitants of space continue to be watched. The book’s chapters are titled “Recognizing Meteorites and Impact Craters,” Identifying Impact Scars,” “Impact and Periodic Mass Extinctions,” “Impact, the Planets and the Origin of Life on Earth,” “The Continuing Threat,” and “Defending Planet Earth.” The author has researched his subject well and incorporated material obtained directly from scientists active in the field of catastrophic impact geology and from the NASA Ames Research Center. The high quality of these sources is reflected in the tale he tells and the illustrations that accompany it. His attention to scientific details and to the importance of clear reasoning and analysis are particularly stimulating and welcome. The book has a glossary and an index and should be in every school library.—Katharine Haramudanis, Compaq Computer Corporation, Nashua, NH

Science Books and Films (SB&F) is published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Reprinted with permission.


SCIENCE AND CHILDREN
March 2004

This book provided an excellent account of the catastrophic effects of prehistoric meteor and comet impacts on Earth. A discussion of how astronomers are searching the Solar System for asteroids and comets in the hope of preventing future catastrophes is included.

Science and Children is the National Science Teachers Association’s professional journal for elementary school teachers. Reprinted with permission.


THE SCIENCE TEACHER
February 2004

Having reviewed many astronomy books that were only average, I was beginning to think a good one was never going to turn up! This book was worth the wait. Killer Rocks from Outer Space takes an in-depth look at the mystery of meteors, comets, and asteroids and their impact on Earth’s history. It has been named one of NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book selections for 2003. the author is a terrific science writer who uses his expertise to make reading about meteors, comets, and catastrophic geology enjoyable. He discusses the mounting evidence for multiple collisions between Earth and cosmic objects. Difficult concepts are presented in a logical, readable fashion, including a balanced view of the contributions of men and women scientists. There is more content here than most will want to read cover to cover, but the book would be an excellent resource for a research project. This book is appropriate for middle and secondary students and supports content standards at both levels. The book’s cover and title appeal more to the younger set, but the context will make even the seniors think and wonder. For grades 9-12, it integrates all the disciplines and science content in a coherent, logical fashion. And teachers who have been looking for a concise, well-written book on the topic of meteors, comets, and asteroids have finally found it. Diana Wiig, Instructor.

Reprinted with permission from NSTA, copyright 2004, from The Science Teacher, National Science Teachers Association,1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000.


BOOKLIST
January 1 & 15, 2004

With its Star Wars-like cover and zany title, this book might lead one to believe it’s a wild take on astronomy. Not so, although the “killer rock” topic will certainly interest many readers. Koppes packs a wealth of facts into this modest-size volume, including information about how to recognize meteorites, impact craters, and scars; connections to dinosaur extinction; and the methods scientists are using to defend the Earth from cosmic disasters. The sophisticated language and the scientific terms (there’s a glossary) won’t suit reluctant readers, nor will the fairly text-heavy layout, although maps, charts, and photographs do break up the text. Better readers, however, will find lots for reports or for personal interest. Included is a map of impact sites around the world, and a list of Web sites and further readings are appended.—Jennifer Locke

Copyright © 2004, American Library Association.


HORN BOOK GUIDE
July-December 2003

This discussion of asteroid impact science is really a history of a relatively new scientific field, presenting an absorbing account of major discoveries and theoretical advances, as well as current areas of controversy and speculation. Attractive photos, diagrams, and artists’ interpretations illustrate descriptions of impacts, the mass extinctions they may have initiated, and attempts to predict the next big one.

Review copyright 2004 by the Horn Book Guide. Reprinted by permission.


BAYVIEWS
December 2003

The author presents his subject in a logical progression. The book begins by describing meteorites and impact craters using some progressive aerial and satellite photographs. It then connects the theories of the dinosaurs rise and extinction to meteorites. The book ends with the threats of impact Earth faces today and how we might defend Earth against a possible collision with an asteroid. The research is current, and the author is careful to explain what is theory, what has been proved, and how scientists can change their mind after more information is discovered. The book is dense with information and will probably only be used for reports. A glossary, index and bibliography complete the book along with a map of impact sites throughout the Earth. Mary Schrader, Oakland PL

Bayviews is published by the Association of Childrens’ Librarians of Northern California. Reprinted with permission.


THE KIDS DOMAIN (www.kidsdomain.com)

Killer Rocks from Outer Space: Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors (Discovery)
Reviewed by Carrie Golus

Summary
Despite the sensationalistic title, a serious, well-researched overview of the history and current state of cosmic impact science.

Review
I’ve always said -— and as far as I’m aware, no one has ever said this before -— you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. After all, a book is the work of its author, whereas the idea for the cover most likely originated in the publisher's marketing department.

The cover of Steven N. Koppes’ Killer Rocks is an endearingly schlocky example of marketing at its least subtle. An orange-yellow comet hangs like a burning ball of death over the words of the book’s title, which recede into the middle distance in the style of the introductory text from Star Wars. Crack the spine, however, and you will discover a very serious, throroughly researched account -— at times poetic, but never sensationalistic -— of cosmic impact science.

The book begins on July 15, 1994, the day the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, “twenty-one large lumps of dusty ice,” in Koppes’ description, smashed into Jupiter. While there is nothing to kill on Jupiter (that we know of anyway), the situation would be very different on Earth, hence the book’s title (which apparently was not the author’s choice either). A comet the size of SL9 “would destroy civilization,” Koppes writes matter-of-factly. “The odds are against any large cosmic objects smacking into Earth anytime soon. Still, it has happened many times before. It might not happen for a million years. It might happen tomorrow.”

Next, Koppes gives an overview of impact science history, starting with an engaging description of Arizona’s Meteor Crater as “a giant bullet hole.” Looking at the photograph of the massive crater on the page opposite, it’s difficult to imagine a time when scientists did not accept the existence of meteorites. In fact, as Koppes explains, opinion varied wildly through the centuries: in Roman times, for example, Pliny the Elder believed that rocks could fall from the sky—but he also thought fossils, flesh, blood, and bricks could too.

In later chapters, Koppes details the awesomely destructive power of cosmic bombs. According to one theory,which remains controversial, he points out the dinosaurs were one casualty, when 65 million years ago an asteroid hit, generating a cloud of dust that was so huge, it altered the earth’s climate. Some scientists suspect that a cosmic impact also caused an earlier mass extinction 250 million years ago, when nine of every ten species on the planet were wiped out.

The book ends with a discussion of what we earthlings could do if threatened by a cosmic impact. It’s an interesting quandary, since the theoretical potential for mass destruction is undeniable—and yet, Koppes points out, no human has ever been killed by a meteorite, as far as historians and scientists know.

Koppes has spent most of his career as a science writer at major research universities: first Arizona State, then the University of Georgia, currently the University of Chicago. Perhaps because he is in daily contact with working scientists, Koppes -— unlike many writers of nonfiction for children -— doesn’t write about his subject as if all of the facts in it were god-ordained. He doesn’t gloss over the fact that science is an ever-changing discipline, and that what experts believe today might turn out to be just as ludicrous as what Pliny the Elder once believed.

Pros
A thorough overview of the subject, from history to the present day. Engaging writing style. Conveys the reality of science as a changing discipline, rather than a catalog of absolute facts.

Cons
Despite Koppes’ measured tone, the subject of the book might be too scary for younger children.

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