Books with author Judy Alter

This book, written for young people ages eight to twelve, tells readers in clear terms what meteorites are, where they come from, what kinds there are, how to look for them, what to look for if you find a rock you think might be a meteorite. It encourages scientific exploration, because the truth is anyone can find a meteorite. Souvenirs from Space also tells the story of Fort Worth lawyer Oscar Monnig who became known as the “Meteorite Man from Texas.” He spent many years searching for meteorites in Texas and Oklahoma, following stories of meteorites sightings, often running into dead ends, but just as often finding another gem for his collection. In his lifetime he collected almost 400 meteorites. He donated his collection to the geology department at TCU and provided for the establishment of the Monnig Meteorite Gallery, which is open to the public. Fort Worth school children frequently tour the gallery as part of their science study. Souvenirs from Space is designed for children who visit the gallery, to give them a lasting souvenir of their lesson about meteorites. But it’s also for any child interested in astronomy or meteorites. It will make them, too, want to visit the gallery.

Fourteen-year-old Cat Jennings lives—and works—on a hardscrabble farm outside Bastrop, Texas, with her parents, an older brother Charlie, and three younger children—Holly, Benjie, and Susanna. But her father has gone to fight at the Alamo, and Charlie has left to join him. When Cat learns that the Alamo has fallen with no survivors, she takes off on horseback to ride across South Texas and urge volunteers to join Sam Houston’s army. She soon runs into Johnny Jenkins, who is both her nemesis and her first love. Johnny is on his way to join Houston, even though Cat tells him he’s too young. As she rides from cabin to cabin, Cat meets fascinating characters, like the gentle widow Polly who won’t believe that her son died at the Alamo. And she has near misses with a Mexican brigade and roughnecks who try to kidnap her. Disguised as a boy, she runs into the Texian army—only to find that they are retreating! She also finds Charlie and Johnny with Houston, but when she wants to leave for home, General Houston won’t allow it. So Cat joins the Runaway Scrape and follows Houston and his army to San Jacinto, arguing all the way with Johnny and Charlie, who think Houston is a coward for retreating and cruel for burning the towns he marches through. Cat argues that he is the hero who will save Texas. According to her great-granddaughter, the real Catherine Jennings did make such a ride after her father, Gordon Jennings, was killed at the Alamo. The rest of this story is fiction based on historical research.