This book not only tells about the properties and facts of Pluto, but also its history and how it got its name. I like how the story is laid out as though Pluto is a person who has feelings and reactions to what the scientists declared about him. This personification makes the book more playful and memorable. Near the end of the book, the reader discovers that Pluto is not considered a planet and also discovers the secrets about Pluto. Many young students now have been taught that Pluto isn't a planet, but I remember it being quite the controversy when I was younger. This book would be great to read during an outer space unit when teaching about the properties of planets or the history of Pluto. If a student is ever wondering how Pluto got its name, I think he or she would be fascinated to learn that an eleven year old came up with the name. I thought that was amazing. Even I learned something new from this book! ( )

I always wanted to find out as a child what Pluto is and where did it come from. I love this book because it explains how Pluto was discovered and more. I was amazed by the illustrations because the watercolor stands out. It lends to a soft texture to the text. I loved the humorous lines by the illustrations. I learned so much about Pluto throughout the book. I did not know that they were suggesting so many names for Pluto. At first, it was Planet X because it was a mysterious planet. I find it very fascinating that Venetia suggested the name Pluto and she was only 11-years-old. I love how the astronomers were working so hard to find out was Pluto a planet or not. Come to find out Pluto is not a planet. Astronomers had to work together and do a vote. Pluto is round but not alone he is surrounded by other planets. The planet is supposed to be round and alone in the orbit. It is interesting to find out Pluto is the only one in the Solar System that is not a planet. ( )

Pluto was a planet and now it is not, that is what most people know about this. This wonderful story tells all about Pluto and the discoveries that have been made about it. When I opened this book I noticed that the pictures looked like little sketches and the font was kind of like handwriting. I liked this effect because it made it look like something a student could create themselves. I also noticed that in the first couple of pages the author used parenthesis to clarify words and concepts that the reader might not know. My favorite part of this book was how the author made Pluto a character and portrayed its possible thoughts and feelings about the discoveries that the scientists made. I also really enjoyed the part about Venetia Burney who was the young girl that suggested the name Pluto for the former ninth planet. I think it is really cool for kids to see that even though they are young their voices and opinions still matter and people hear them. ( )

I LOVE how the book started with a very cute illustration of our Solar System. I liked reading about how Lowell had a gut feeling that there was a force, unknown to us at the time, that was pulling on Uranus and Neptune. And Tombaugh finished his mission after Lowell had passed away. I loved learning about how Pluto got its name after originally being called Planet X. Finally, my favorite part of this book was the ending, I loved how it wrapped up so nicely and wholesomely. Pluto might not be a planet anymore, but it doesn't mind, it's just glad to have helped us decide on what a planet really is, and helped us learn of the many more icy worlds that exist in the universe! ( )

Critique:
It is a good information book for children because it introduces how Pluto was discovered, named and identified whether it is a planet or not in very details. Also, the pictures and the tone that Pluto "used" are very interesting, which can attract children to read it.
Age Appropriate:
Primary school students ( )