First Contact

“Science reporter Ferreira offers a survey of the past, present, and future of humans in space and what (or, more compellingly, who), if anything, is up there waiting to be found…. Throughout, Ferreira maintains a lighthearted tone, mixing hard science with sharply comedic asides. While the core of the book is firmly situated in science, a standout early chapter charts the various archetypes of aliens in pop culture, ranging from monsters to peers. The style choices, from use of graphics to pullout explainers to the pithy chapter lengths, make First Contact a book that begs for return visits. Budding ufologists and alien skeptics alike will find something that alters their previous perceptions, providing enlightenment for anyone interested in discerning what lies beyond the stars. YA/S: Teens interested in learning more about the science of space and the possibility of extraterrestrial life will find this highly readable and formatted in a similar manner to their textbooks.” –Booklist

Becky Ferreira is a science writer based in Ithaca, New York. She has bylines in The New York Times, Motherboard/VICE, WIRED, Popular Science, MIT Technology Review, and The Washington Post, among other publications. She has also appeared as an expert guest on the Science Channel and hosted the Motherboard video series “Space Show.”