{"id":5829385095,"title":"Life on Earth—and Beyond","handle":"life-on-earth-and-beyond","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan size=\"4\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003eLife on Earth—and Beyond\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan size=\"3\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eAn Astrobiologist's Quest\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/pamela-s-turner\" title=\"Pamela S. Turner\"\u003ePamela S. Turner\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs there life beyond Earth?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNASA astrobiologist Dr. Chris McKay has searched the earth's most extreme environments on his quest to understand what factors are necessary to sustain life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePamela S. Turner offers readers an inside look at Dr. McKay's research, explaining his findings and his hopes for future exploration both on Earth and beyond. Behind-the-scenes photos capture Dr. McKay, his expeditions, and the amazing microbes that survive against all odds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/footprints-on-the-moon\" title=\"Footprints on the Moon\"\u003eFootprints on the Moon\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/cars-on-mars\" title=\"Cars on Mars\"\u003eCars on Mars\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/night-wonders\" title=\"Night Wonders\"\u003eNight Wonders\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/life-on-earth-spread.jpg?165455116265750662\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePamela S. Turner, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePam Turner could not stop reading and drawing as a child. From being scolded for reading at the dinner table to going through sketchbooks so fast that her mother had to buy her rolls of shelf paper to use as canvas, Pam was consumed with creating and learning. Even at night, when forced to turn her lights off for bed, Pam would read by the small red light emanating from the temperature control for her electric blanket. It’s no wonder that Pam eventually became a celebrated children’s author.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/pamela-s-turner\" title=\"Pamela S. Turner\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Pam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBook Links Best New Books for the Classroom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eABC Best Books for Children\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNSTA\/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBooklist's Top Ten Sci-Tech Books for Youth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCCBC Choices\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePSLA Young Adult Top 40\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCapitol Choices list of Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?18127980511287865543\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAstrobiologists look outward from the Earth seeking evidence of life elsewhere in the universe. But, as this fascinating book shows, they also travel to places on Earth where extreme conditions may be similar to those on distant worlds. Turner follows astrobiologist Chris McKay as he looks for life in apparently hostile environments. He finds cyanobacteria and fungi on a sandstone cliff in Antarctica, collects microbes in Chile's Atacama Desert, thaws out bacteria 3.5 million years old frozen in Siberian permafrost, and finds cyanobacteria in rocks of the Sahara Desert. Finally, McKay returns to Antarctica to melt a hole through 16 feet of ice, dives down 100 feet of frigid water, and studies the algae living at the bottom of a lake. Turner's absorbing account gives enough detail to create vivid impressions of McKay's explorations and enough background of amusement or amazement let readers share her evident enjoyment in McKay's quest. Illustrated with many excellent color photos and other images, the book concludes with Turner's note on her research, as well as lists of recommended books, movies, and internet resources. This beautifully designed volume offers an eye-opening look at an astrobiologist in action.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?18127980511287865543\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the lead of the exemplary \"Scientists in the Field\" series (Houghton), this is another handsomly packaged, profusely illustrated portrait of a researcher whose \"lab\" is the great outdoors--in this case, the driest deserts, coldest waters, and other most inhospitable environments on Earth. In order to explore the feasibility of life on other planets, NASA scientist Chris McKay travels in turn to Antarctica's Dry Valleys and ice-covered Lake Hoare, to Chile's Atacama Desert, Siberia, and the Sahara to study the bacteria and other microscopic organisms that call such climactic extremes home. The photographs, which are reproduced with unusual clarity, range from shots of McKay and his colleagues at work in various rugged settings to micrographs of bacteria, from satellite photos to side-by-side pairings of physical features in the Atacama and intriguingly similar formations on Mars. Closing with an author's statement and digestible lists of multimedia resources, this profile is an engagingly written, visually appealing follow-up to more general introduction, such as Bill Doyle's \u003ci\u003eThe Space Explorer's Guide to the Universe\u003c\/i\u003e (Scholastic, 2003).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapital Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAstrobiologist Chris McKay looks for life in remote areas like Antarctica, Siberia, and the Altacama and Saharan Desert hoping to learn how life might survive on Mars and beyond. Turner has provided a splendid description of this scientist's work in the field, illustrated with many of his own (excellent) photographs. I especially liked the examples of research cooperation - even to the point of joining an anthropological expedition investigating rock art in the Sahara. A clear explanation with fascinating details, this offers a new perspective on space exploration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Horn Book Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNASA scientist Chris McKay has traveled to the ends of the earth to investigate the microscopic life that exists in extreme environments. Examining the conditions under which microbes survive (or not) in places that are very dry or cold may give him and other scientists information they can use to search for life on Mars and other extraterrestrial locales. More than just an explanation of the science, however, this is an in-depth look at the richly rewarding career of a field scientist and the questions that have unfolded for him over decades of research. Of course, there's also plenty of adventure to be had, as extreme conditions for microbes also mean extreme conditions for humans. McKay and colleagues camp in remote locations (shown on maps that open each chapter) such as the freezing Antarctic and arid deserts in Chile and Egypt, and use an array of inventive tools in their quest for knowledge about microscopic life. The first-rate color photographs and other illustrations, most provided by NASA or McKay, serve mainly as a travelogue of the scientists' expeditions, though there are also telling side-by-side comparisons of arid deserts on Earth and Martian landscapes photographed on recent missions. Further reading, movies, and Internet resources are appended, along with an index.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurriculum Connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNASA scientist Chris McKay takes the readers to Antarctica, Chile, Siberia, and the Sahara Desert, as he studies microbes to see if they can sustain life in the most inhospitable environments. Color photographs fill each page and chronicle the scientist at work around the world, as he speculates about the possibility of life on Mars and generates excitement about future investigations in microbiology and astronomy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook Links\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegardless of their level of interest in science, Turner's photo-essay of the work of Dr. Chris McKay, an astrobiologist at NASA, will capture readers from the start. With an attractive design and crisp color photographs on every spread, this fascinating portrayal shows McKay at work in the world's most unforgiving habitats--including Antarctica, the Sahara Desert, and Siberia--\"to better understand how life might survive the extreme environments on other worlds.\" Concluding with an enlightening note on the author's research, additional print and online resources, and an index, this profile of a passionate scientist informs and inspires.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNSTA Recommends\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSearching for life on other worlds can begin on Earth. This NSTA\/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for 2009 provides an account of an astrobiologist's search in areas on Earth that are similar to Martian environments; he explores such places as Antarctica, the Sahara Desert, and Siberia to find out how life can survive in such harsh earthly environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis interdisciplinary book has many applications in middle and secondary classrooms. Many maps and climate data support bioecology, while a thumbprint reference to solar system bodies that might have water will expand students' imagination. There is a good foundation of biology, including the vital role of water in the evolution and maintenance of life. Finally, the diverse areas of scientific expertise represented in the book will encourage students of many talents and intelligences to explore further.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/life-on-earth-cvr.jpg?15289395307265703503\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/life-on-earth-and-hires.zip?15289395307265703503\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-133-2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 9-12\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 112\u003cbr\u003e7 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2016-03-29T17:13:00-04:00","created_at":"2016-03-29T17:04:53-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Age_Middle Grade","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Nonfiction","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Concept Books","Browse by Subject_Science \u0026 Nature"],"price":1995,"price_min":1995,"price_max":1995,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":18408939719,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"91332","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Life on Earth—and Beyond - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1995,"weight":610,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":8,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-58089-133-2","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/life-on-earth-and-cover.jpg?v=1586797132"],"featured_image":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/life-on-earth-and-cover.jpg?v=1586797132","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Life on Earth - and Beyond book cover","id":2474579755087,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.781,"height":768,"width":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/life-on-earth-and-cover.jpg?v=1586797132"},"aspect_ratio":0.781,"height":768,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/life-on-earth-and-cover.jpg?v=1586797132","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan size=\"4\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003eLife on Earth—and Beyond\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan size=\"3\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eAn Astrobiologist's Quest\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/pamela-s-turner\" title=\"Pamela S. Turner\"\u003ePamela S. Turner\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs there life beyond Earth?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNASA astrobiologist Dr. Chris McKay has searched the earth's most extreme environments on his quest to understand what factors are necessary to sustain life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePamela S. Turner offers readers an inside look at Dr. McKay's research, explaining his findings and his hopes for future exploration both on Earth and beyond. Behind-the-scenes photos capture Dr. McKay, his expeditions, and the amazing microbes that survive against all odds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/footprints-on-the-moon\" title=\"Footprints on the Moon\"\u003eFootprints on the Moon\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/cars-on-mars\" title=\"Cars on Mars\"\u003eCars on Mars\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/night-wonders\" title=\"Night Wonders\"\u003eNight Wonders\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/life-on-earth-spread.jpg?165455116265750662\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePamela S. Turner, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePam Turner could not stop reading and drawing as a child. From being scolded for reading at the dinner table to going through sketchbooks so fast that her mother had to buy her rolls of shelf paper to use as canvas, Pam was consumed with creating and learning. Even at night, when forced to turn her lights off for bed, Pam would read by the small red light emanating from the temperature control for her electric blanket. It’s no wonder that Pam eventually became a celebrated children’s author.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/pamela-s-turner\" title=\"Pamela S. Turner\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Pam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBook Links Best New Books for the Classroom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eABC Best Books for Children\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNSTA\/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBooklist's Top Ten Sci-Tech Books for Youth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCCBC Choices\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePSLA Young Adult Top 40\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCapitol Choices list of Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?18127980511287865543\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAstrobiologists look outward from the Earth seeking evidence of life elsewhere in the universe. But, as this fascinating book shows, they also travel to places on Earth where extreme conditions may be similar to those on distant worlds. Turner follows astrobiologist Chris McKay as he looks for life in apparently hostile environments. He finds cyanobacteria and fungi on a sandstone cliff in Antarctica, collects microbes in Chile's Atacama Desert, thaws out bacteria 3.5 million years old frozen in Siberian permafrost, and finds cyanobacteria in rocks of the Sahara Desert. Finally, McKay returns to Antarctica to melt a hole through 16 feet of ice, dives down 100 feet of frigid water, and studies the algae living at the bottom of a lake. Turner's absorbing account gives enough detail to create vivid impressions of McKay's explorations and enough background of amusement or amazement let readers share her evident enjoyment in McKay's quest. Illustrated with many excellent color photos and other images, the book concludes with Turner's note on her research, as well as lists of recommended books, movies, and internet resources. This beautifully designed volume offers an eye-opening look at an astrobiologist in action.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?18127980511287865543\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the lead of the exemplary \"Scientists in the Field\" series (Houghton), this is another handsomly packaged, profusely illustrated portrait of a researcher whose \"lab\" is the great outdoors--in this case, the driest deserts, coldest waters, and other most inhospitable environments on Earth. In order to explore the feasibility of life on other planets, NASA scientist Chris McKay travels in turn to Antarctica's Dry Valleys and ice-covered Lake Hoare, to Chile's Atacama Desert, Siberia, and the Sahara to study the bacteria and other microscopic organisms that call such climactic extremes home. The photographs, which are reproduced with unusual clarity, range from shots of McKay and his colleagues at work in various rugged settings to micrographs of bacteria, from satellite photos to side-by-side pairings of physical features in the Atacama and intriguingly similar formations on Mars. Closing with an author's statement and digestible lists of multimedia resources, this profile is an engagingly written, visually appealing follow-up to more general introduction, such as Bill Doyle's \u003ci\u003eThe Space Explorer's Guide to the Universe\u003c\/i\u003e (Scholastic, 2003).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapital Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAstrobiologist Chris McKay looks for life in remote areas like Antarctica, Siberia, and the Altacama and Saharan Desert hoping to learn how life might survive on Mars and beyond. Turner has provided a splendid description of this scientist's work in the field, illustrated with many of his own (excellent) photographs. I especially liked the examples of research cooperation - even to the point of joining an anthropological expedition investigating rock art in the Sahara. A clear explanation with fascinating details, this offers a new perspective on space exploration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Horn Book Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNASA scientist Chris McKay has traveled to the ends of the earth to investigate the microscopic life that exists in extreme environments. Examining the conditions under which microbes survive (or not) in places that are very dry or cold may give him and other scientists information they can use to search for life on Mars and other extraterrestrial locales. More than just an explanation of the science, however, this is an in-depth look at the richly rewarding career of a field scientist and the questions that have unfolded for him over decades of research. Of course, there's also plenty of adventure to be had, as extreme conditions for microbes also mean extreme conditions for humans. McKay and colleagues camp in remote locations (shown on maps that open each chapter) such as the freezing Antarctic and arid deserts in Chile and Egypt, and use an array of inventive tools in their quest for knowledge about microscopic life. The first-rate color photographs and other illustrations, most provided by NASA or McKay, serve mainly as a travelogue of the scientists' expeditions, though there are also telling side-by-side comparisons of arid deserts on Earth and Martian landscapes photographed on recent missions. Further reading, movies, and Internet resources are appended, along with an index.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurriculum Connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNASA scientist Chris McKay takes the readers to Antarctica, Chile, Siberia, and the Sahara Desert, as he studies microbes to see if they can sustain life in the most inhospitable environments. Color photographs fill each page and chronicle the scientist at work around the world, as he speculates about the possibility of life on Mars and generates excitement about future investigations in microbiology and astronomy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook Links\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegardless of their level of interest in science, Turner's photo-essay of the work of Dr. Chris McKay, an astrobiologist at NASA, will capture readers from the start. With an attractive design and crisp color photographs on every spread, this fascinating portrayal shows McKay at work in the world's most unforgiving habitats--including Antarctica, the Sahara Desert, and Siberia--\"to better understand how life might survive the extreme environments on other worlds.\" Concluding with an enlightening note on the author's research, additional print and online resources, and an index, this profile of a passionate scientist informs and inspires.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNSTA Recommends\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSearching for life on other worlds can begin on Earth. This NSTA\/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for 2009 provides an account of an astrobiologist's search in areas on Earth that are similar to Martian environments; he explores such places as Antarctica, the Sahara Desert, and Siberia to find out how life can survive in such harsh earthly environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis interdisciplinary book has many applications in middle and secondary classrooms. Many maps and climate data support bioecology, while a thumbprint reference to solar system bodies that might have water will expand students' imagination. There is a good foundation of biology, including the vital role of water in the evolution and maintenance of life. Finally, the diverse areas of scientific expertise represented in the book will encourage students of many talents and intelligences to explore further.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/life-on-earth-cvr.jpg?15289395307265703503\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/life-on-earth-and-hires.zip?15289395307265703503\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-133-2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 9-12\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 112\u003cbr\u003e7 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}