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A Star Explodes: The Story of Supernova 1054

By James Gladstone
Picture Books
Review:

In the year 1054, a bright new star appeared in the night sky. The people of the Chinese court marvel at the star’s beauty, watching it slowly fade over time. A century later, astronomers discover it was a supernova. I enjoyed reading this story and found it to be an engaging way to learn about astronomy.

(Reviewed by Kate Phillips)

Region China
Period 1054 and Present day
Genre Nonfiction
The Good and the Beautiful Library No
  • 3 Entertainment Value
  • 3 Moral Value
  • 5 Educational Value
  • 3 Literary Value
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Entertainment Value

All books on our list are chosen to be engaging, but books that rank high in entertainment value may be more appealing to reluctant readers and/or those who are new to good and beautiful books.

Moral Value

All books on The Good and the Beautiful Book List are deemed appropriate and wholesome, but some books have more emphasis on moral principles than others. A lower rating for moral value does not mean the book is inappropriate; it only means that moral values are not as highly emphasized.

Educational Value

Although all books on this list have educational value in the sense of increasing vocabulary and other important skills, the educational value scale is based on how well the book helps the reader gain knowledge about historical time periods, cultures, geography, science, etc.

Literary Value

Books that score high in literary value include exceptional writing, use of literary devices, and a rich vocabulary. All books on The Good and the Beautiful Book List are well-written, but some have a higher literary value than others.

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