Winner of an American Institute of Physics 2020 Science Communication Award!
An SCBWI Golden Kite Honor book for 2020!
Astronomy and STEM activities available now! See below.
Illustrated by Jessica Lanan.
Do you wonder
if humans
are the only beings
who wonder
if they are alone
in the universe?
Our sun is a star.
In the night sky are all kinds of stars,
and orbiting those stars are planets
like the ones in our own solar system.
Some of those planets are too big to be habitable. Or too small. Too hot or too cold.
Planet Earth is not too big, not too small, not too hot, and not too cold.
It’s just right—our very own Goldilocks planet.
Are there other habitable planets besides Earth?
Are they home to beings like us? How would we interact with them?
Follow a young girl as she explores these questions
in this gorgeous book about the wondrous search
for another Goldilocks planet.
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Reviews
“A young girl looks out her window, pondering the universe. A subsequent family trip to the planetarium gives her a lot to think about. … The illustrations, suffused with glowing light, are dynamically varied, including a colorful double-page spread of the Milky Way galaxy, panels carrying information, [and] fanciful visions of other worlds… Thorough backmatter includes books, astronomy clubs, and various websites for further exploration. An attractive and informative volume for young stargazers.” Kirkus
“Manley’s writing swings gracefully between factual descriptions (“Earth orbits in our solar system’s ‘habitable zone’ ”) and more lyrical observations: “All stars twinkle, but some stars also seem to wink at us… as if saying, ‘I know a secret.’ ” … Richly informative prose and intimate yet expansive art show a child’s contagious enthusiasm for the book’s subject. Includes a timeline of astronomical discoveries and suggestions for further reading.” Publishers Weekly
“This is the best kind of science writing—a book that offers as many questions as answers. Aspiring astronomers will love it.” Booklist
“Manley presents scientific certainties and theories alongside the child and her family’s trip to a museum. The enthusiastic main character lightens what could be weighty scientific information, providing an entry point for newcomers. … An ideal addition for libraries building or updating STEAM collections.” School Library Journal (starred review)
“Manley sets up the science carefully and thoroughly, leading readers step by step through the ways in which astronomers have used tools such as telescopes to “see” the planets that orbit distant stars. … Lanan’s illustrations take the concepts to the next level; the choices of scale, color, and detail in her planetary landscapes make visible the text’s content. … Back matter includes more on the science of detecting exoplanets, a brief bibliography, lists of relevant websites, and a “timeline of discovering our place in the universe.”” The Horn Book
“Manley’s conversational, yet informative tone strikes a balance that is “just right” for young readers, alternating between narration and exposition and offering factual answers that spark more questions and curiosity from readers: “So far we still seem to be alone in the universe. But as telescopes get bigger and better, and as we watch more and more stars, the chances of finding life improve. What might that life be like?” Whether used to introduce units on astronomy or to nurture independent reading and inquisitiveness, Just Right is ideal for budding astronomers and their classmates.” The Classroom Bookshelf
“Manley’s non-fiction book tackles one of the biggest questions out there–is there other life in the universe–in simple, fun language sure to keep readers of all ages engaged. … This book will appeal to those children who can’t wait to know the ‘why’ behind their world, and adults will find themselves learning right along with them.” Shepherd.com
Accolades
- A Junior Library Guild Selection
- Named to the Chicago Public Library’s list of best informational books for younger readers for 2019
- Named one of the American Library Association’s Notable Children’s Books of 2020
- The SCBWI Golden Kite Honor Book for 2020, in the Non-Fiction for Young Readers category
- Named to the Bank Street College of Education Best Books list for 2020 (STEM category)
- Winner of the American Institute of Physics 2020 Science Communication Award in the Writing for Children category
Resources
Six astronomy and STEM activities for the classroom and library, based on the science of finding exoplanets—and why a Goldilocks planet is “just right.”
Teaching Ideas and Invitations for JUST RIGHT, from School Library Journal’s The Classroom Bookshelf.
Exoplanet coloring page to download, print, draw, and color a planet that’s “just right” for you.