Jay Lake's first trade novel is an astounding work of creation. Lake has envisioned a clockwork solar system, where the planets move in a vast system of gears around the lamp of the Sun. It is a universe where the hand of the Creator is visible to anyone who simply looks up into the sky, and sees the track of the heavens, the wheels of the Moon, and the great Equatorial gears of the Earth itself. Mainspring is the story of a young clockmaker's apprentice,...

Afraid he will always be an outsider like ex-planet Pluto, nine-year-old Oliver finally shows his extremely overprotective parents that he is capable of doing great things without their help while his class is studying the solar system.

Mars likes peace and quiet and is not happy when unexpected visitors show up, but slowly realizing he does not want to be alone, he reaches out to other planets and satellites while waiting patiently for human company.

In this adaptation of the traditional nursery rhyme, an astronaut swallows the Moon and other celestial objects, while two children ask questions about the Solar System and outer space.

Just after learning that Earth's scientists no longer consider him a planet, an unhappy Pluto takes a visitor from Earth on a tour of the solar system, sharing facts along the way.

Professor Albert Hopper, frog and Science Hero, travels with his niece Polly and nephew Tad throughout the solar system, exploring the sun, asteroids and comets, and the planets.

Reports of a strange phenomenon at the fringe of the galaxy and its connection to one of Father's old friends send the entire Mumby family, accompanied by Jack and other friends, to a far-off planet where they must find a way to prevent a new invasion of the solar system by giant moths.

"It's late August, 1592. Sir Robert Carey, cousin to Queen Elizabeth from the wrong side of Henry VIII's blanket, remains at his post on the Borders at Carlisle. He has at last been confirmed by his monarch as Deputy Warden, is still deeply in love with Lady Elizabeth Widdrington while despising her elderly, abusive husband (will the man never die?). And he remains estranged from his dour but lethal henchman, Henry Dodd, Land-Sergeant of Gilsland,...