Spidernaut: Arabella, the Spider in Space (Animalographies)

When a young high school student proposes an experiment to investigate whether or not spiders can spin webs in space, NASA sends three astronauts and two orb-weaving spiders to the International Space Station to determine just that. Upon arrival, Arabella is placed under the spotlight of observation. Feeling woozy and disoriented, she tries to spin a web. It’s asymmetrical with several holes. With time and practice, her attempts edge toward success and start to resemble those made on Earth. The second orb-weaving spider, Anita, makes some as well. Hers take a little less diligence. After fifty-six days, they’ve completed their mission and head home.

Children will find this a fascinating pick. The author brilliantly uses Arabella’s voice to tell the story, enabling readers to closely connect with her experience. Her trepidation about participating in the study as well as her excitement about becoming the first orb-weaving spider to ever spin a web in space are highlighted. Youth ages five to nine will be intrigued by her journal entries and the progress she makes, and the detailed illustrations of her webs will transfix them. This is a notable read and one well worth adding to libraries and classrooms around the globe.