Gr 9 Up— Hugo award-winning author and illustrator Miller brings his experience illustrating for NASA to this engaging book, taking curious readers on a fact-filled tour of the outer reaches of our solar system. Readers learn about the many unmanned missions that have contributed to the body of knowledge on the solar system, including the equipment scientists used to capture important readings that allowed NASA to study far-flung objects and planets. When describing the atmosphere of Pluto or the terrain of a comet, Miller includes the collected data that assisted astrophysicists in reaching their conclusions, written in an easy-to-understand way. While Miller shows how much we have learned about our solar system, he also makes clear how much there is left to learn. There are great mysteries at the edge of the solar system that continue to engage scientists and are waiting for the next generation of young astronomers. Illustrations and charts are found throughout. Back matter includes a glossary; an index; a bibliography; an extensive selection of books, magazines, and websites for further reading; and source notes. VERDICT This book is for students with an interest in astronomy. It is packed with information but also thoroughly entertaining, and is highly recommended.— Cathy DeCampli

A rare look at our astronomical neighborhood's outermost reaches.Even top-tier solar system tours seldom devote more than glances beyond the known planets to the outlying Kuiper belt and the Oort cloud. But as Miller reports in enough specific detail to satisfy even demanding young sky watchers, recent observations have revealed quite a lot going on out there-from new dwarf planets and excitingly strange interstellar visitors like ‘Oumuamua to immense swirling waves caused by interactions between solar winds and cosmic dust. The author threads in recaps of the solar system's formation and the history of our search for the outer planets (persuasively explaining the position of most planetary scientists that Pluto is a regular, not a dwarf, planet) and closes with annotated lists of helpful print and web resources to launch further investigations. All of this he enhances with a mix of astrophotos and his own schematic diagrams of orbits and magnetic fields as well as photorealistic depictions of space probes, comets, and relevant celestial phenomena. There are no human figures in view, but all of the dwarf planets found to date line up for (as it were) star turns. This inviting work is perspective adjusting, particularly for readers who haven't imagined much beyond a star, a handful of planets, and a few extra rocks.Tantalizingly introduces readers to far-flung scientific wonders. (glossary, source notes, bibliography, index, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18)