Week 3 – Out of this World

Books for Adults DB 18050 A house in space by Henry S. F. Cooper Annotation: Chronicles the three Skylab missions of 1973-1974, man's first sustained adventure in weightlessness. Describes Skylab's workday regimen and relationships among the different crews.

DB 74512 Touched by an alien by Gini Koch Annotation: Marketing manager Katherine "Kitty" Katt is leaving jury duty when a man transforms into something monstrous in front of her. She kills it--and is quickly recruited by a secret organization. While learning to fight aliens, she becomes attracted to another agent. Violence, strong language, and explicit descriptions of sex. 2010.

DB 54341 Space: Manifold trilogy, book 2 by Stephen Baxter Annotation: 2020. At the solar system's far edge Reid Malenfant discovers a gateway that allows instantaneous virtual travel through vast interstellar space. While he's finding what's on the gateway's other side, Japanese scientist Nemoto searches for life on the moon. Sequel to Time (DB 54340). Some strong language. Bestseller. 2001.

DB 93557 Mr. Monk in outer space by Lee Goldberg Annotation: Adrian Monk has journeyed into the realm of the cult science fiction show Beyond Earth, where he meets fans just as obsessive-compulsive as he is. Monk is at their convention because someone in a starship uniform has very publicly gunned down the show's legendary creator, Conrad Stipe. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2007.

DB 84061 Saga of Seven Suns, books 1-3 by Kevin J. Anderson Annotation: The first three books in the series, written between 2002 and 2004. In Hidden Empire, Earth receives the stardrive and finds the causes of the fall of the formerly hidden Klikiss empire may reawaken. Also includes A Forest of Stars and Horizon Storms. Some violence. 2004. DB 39495 The pride of Chanur by C.J. Cherryh Annotation: Pyanfar Chanur, captain of the hani ship the Pride of Chanur, has docked at Meetpoint Station. There several species come to trade and take on provisions. It is also there that the Pride takes on unexpected cargo--Tully, a human. His jumping aboard the hani ship brings treachery and trouble to the Pride and its crew. Prequel to Chanur's Venture (DB 39496). Some violence and some strong language. DB 49151 Illegal alien by Robert J. Sawyer Annotation: Aliens arrive seeking help in repairing their mother ship. While politician Francis Nobilio and scientist Cletus Calhoun are touring the seven Tosoks around the country, Calhoun is murdered in L.A. A trial involving a famous civil rights attorney proceeds and Nobilio discovers the real motive behind the space landing. Some violence. DB 82410 Leaving Orbit: Notes from the Last Days of American Spaceflight by Margaret Lazarus Dean Annotation: Dean recounts the history of American spaceflight, NASA, and Florida's Space Coast and reflects on what has been achieved. She interviews NASA workers, astronauts, and space fans alike, exploring the ramifications of the end of the American space shuttle program. Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize. 2015. DB 83941 Breaking the Chains of Gravity: The Story of Spaceflight before NASA by Amy Shira Teitel Annotation: Journalist chronicles the agencies and institutions--along with key personnel--that were precursors to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which was created in 1958. Details research into rocketry in both America and Germany, as well as the impact of World War II and the Cold War. 2016 DB 89525 Endurance: A year in space, a lifetime of discovery by Scott Kelly Annotation: stronaut and American record-holder for most consecutive days in space examines his life and career. Discusses growing up with identical twin brother--and fellow astronaut--Mark, challenges he faced to become an astronaut, and the physical and emotional impacts of long-term spaceflight. Contains some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2017. DB 87493 Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar Annotation: Jakub Procházka has risen from small-time scientist to become the Czech Republic's first astronaut. He embarks on a dangerous mission to Venus. While in space, he takes on a possibly imaginary giant alien spider companion with whom he forms an intense bond. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2017.

DB 67821 The new space opera by Gardner R. Dozois and Jonathan Strahan Annotation: Eighteen tales of interstellar adventure. In Stephen Baxter's "Remembrance," an old man's recollection of a legendary resistance fighter who battled Earth's alien conquerors inspires a new generation of dissidents. Includes Greg Egan's "Glory," Nancy Kress's "Art of War," and works by Alastair Reynolds, Robert Silverberg, and others. Some violence. 2007.

Books for Kids and Teens DB 07776 Tom Swift and the cosmic astronuats by Victor Appleton II Annotation: Tom Swift's dream of harnessing the sun's power carries him to a space outpost, an's first station on the road to the stars. For grades 4-7.

DB 49723 The travellers' guide to Mars: Don't leave Earth without it by Michael Pauls and Dana Facaros Annotation: Since more families are considering Mars for their vacations, the authors have developed a humorous yet factual guide to educate tourists (and others) about the Red Planet. Describes Martian geography, the history of Mars in myth and popular culture, and its space-age exploration. For senior high and older readers. 1997

DB 97319 How Roy Thorne destroyed the multiverse by K. Eason Annotation: Princess Rory Thorne must use the fairy blessings gifted to her at birth to change the multiverse--or possibly destroy it. When her father is assassinated, Rory is betrothed to a prince of a distant world. She discovers a plot to unseat her betrothed and steal his throne. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019 DB 86674 To burp or not to burp: A guide to your body in space by Dave Williams Annotation: An examination of how the human body behaves in microgravity, answering questions about topics such as how astronauts go to the bathroom, why they grow taller, and why burping is risky in space. For grades 2-4. 2016.

DB 84581 The coolest job in the universe: Working about the International Space Station by Henry M. Holden Annotation: Explores the International Space Station (ISS), including its construction and the missions required to build it, living and working aboard the ISS, and its importance as the future of the space program. For grades 4-7. 2013.

DB 55814 Have space suit – will travel by Robert A. Heinlein AnnotationHigh school senior Kip Russell longs to go to the moon but is kidnapped by space pirates. He meets other prisoners on a flying saucer--an eleven-year-old girl named Peewee and a strange creature they call the Mother Thing. For junior and senior high readers. 1958.

DB 52713 Alien for rent by Betsy Duffey When a ghostly sign advertising "Alien for Rent" appears on their school bulletin board, third-graders J.P. and Lexie decide to check it out. They realize they've found the alien when it transforms Bruce, the fifth-grade bully, into a baby. For grades 3- 6. 1999.

DB 23283 Barney in space by Margaret Goff Clark Rokell, a ruthless Gark from the planet Ornam, fears that Barney will betray the Garks to other humans. Rokell sets out to kidnap Barney. Sequel to "Barney and the UFO" (RC 22588). For grades 4-7.

DB 92147 The loneliest girl in the universe by Lauren James Romy, the only surviving crew member of a spaceship traveling to a new planet, is on a mission to establish a second home for humanity. Alone in space, Romy communicates with a lone passenger from a new ship, a boy called J. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2017.