Project Apollo Nonfiction (Intermediate & Older)

(4) 4-6 You Choose: Space series. Travel in space with NASA in these latest Choose Your Own Adventure–narratives based on real events. Readers select different plot options to follow, all accompanied by black-and-white and color photographs. Unfortunately, transitions between sections are inadequate and the stories are a bit wooden. Still, young readers will learn a lot about the evolution of the space program since the 1960s. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following You Choose: Space titles: Apollo 11 Moon Landing and Mars Exploration Rovers.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) YA Odysseys in History series. This competent installment examines the 1969 moon landing with a focus on context and aftermath. Bodden deftly zooms in and out on the relevant historical and cultural details surrounding the space race and Apollo 11 mission, creating a clear and accessible account of complex topics. Well-chosen photographs, sidebars, and pull quotes complement the even-handed prose. Glossy, attractive page design adds further appeal. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Brinkley weaves together the history of the space race, mid-twentieth-century geopolitics, and the career of John F. Kennedy as he ascended to the presidency, focusing on Kennedy's championing of space technologies for American political might. He illustrates the tight connections between scientific advancement and the Cold War. Historical photographs illustrate the book. Bib.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 This comprehensive account of lunar science and exploration breaks down the Apollo 11 mission across eleven episodes, each with three "stages": a dramatic, second-person description of space flight, a historical profile of a lunar scientist or engineer, and a discussion of related science concepts. Black-and-white historical photographs and small illustrations of the mission timeline are the highlights of the gray-toned layouts. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Alan Bean. With Victoria Kohl. Chaikin, drawing on his adult book A Man on the Moon, explores the piloted Apollo missions. Each of the twelve missions is covered in a detail-filled chapter, carefully outlining objectives and providing thrilling play-by-plays. The chapters flow seamlessly, allowing readers to see the missions' progression. In addition to historical photographs and technical diagrams, Apollo-astronaut-turned-artist Bean lends his accomplished paintings. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2009

(3) YA Introduction by Scott Kelly. Collins was the NASA astronaut who piloted the capsule while Armstrong and Aldrin walked on the moon. This book is a wonderfully detailed, first-person account of his time in the space program, including scientific and historical details about space exploration. This updated edition features two inserts of photographs and includes Collins's thoughts about exploring Mars.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 American Space Missions--Astronauts, Exploration, and Discovery series. From Gemini 4's twenty-three-minute spacewalk in 1965 to the International Space Station's future potential, these revised, redesigned, and re-titled books each focus on a specific mission, its crew, and its accomplishments and costs. Archival photographs and diagrams support the accessible texts, providing a basic overview of the triumphs and tragedies of U.S. space exploration to date. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Space Missions--Astronauts, Exploration, and Discovery titles: Eye on the Universe, Spacewalk, Walking on the Moon, The Coolest Job in the Universe, Danger in Space, and Space Shuttle Disaster.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 Explorers series. Illustrated by Mark Bergin. Appealing color illustrations and informative diagrams complement this historical overview of the U.S. space program. There's an emphasis on the seventeen Apollo missions, in particular the Apollo 11 moon landing. The book also clearly explains the technology of spacecraft, describes the astronauts' daily routine in space, and summarizes "what happened next" in U.S. space flight. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Ben Bishop. Michael Collins, the oft forgotten third man of the Apollo 11 mission, didn't walk on the moon. But Irvine's graphic-novel account honors Collins's critical role in the mission, making sure he, Armstrong, and Aldrin got there and back safely. The sketchy, monochromatic art fits the setting, and Bishop seamlessly includes several explanatory diagrams within his paneled illustrations. Reading list, timeline, websites.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 In this collection of stories about dangerous, sometimes deadly, events in the history of space exploration, Kluger uses actual dialogue and dramatic pacing to present real-time accounts of tragedies and near-misses from the American and Soviet space programs. The professionalism and bravery of astronauts and ground personnel from the Gemini, Apollo, Soyuz, space shuttle, and space station missions are emphasized. Photos not seen. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA With Ruby Shamir. Kluger's comprehensive account of the December 1968 Apollo 8 mission to orbit the moon engagingly captures the mission's excitement for a new generation of readers. He successfully integrates snippets of the astronauts' personal lives with space travel science and daily details from their mission, set against the historical context of the American space program and the Cold War. Diagrams and photos appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 You Choose: History series. This Choose Your Own Adventure–style book provides three different paths for readers to follow (be a rocket-technology scientist, a reporter, or a Mission Control member during the 1969 moon landing). Though the information is limited, reluctant readers who enjoy the series hook will come away with a sense of the time period and events. Photos help break up the text. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 On April 13, 1970, an explosion on the Apollo 13 spacecraft threatened to quickly end the moon mission. The intense drama plays out aboard the spacecraft, in mission control, and at the family home of mission commander Jim Lovell. The multiple viewpoints (especially that of Lovell's teenage daughter, Barbara) add intriguing perspectives. Period photographs enhance gravitas and emotion. Sources are appended.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 In 1968, Apollo 8's astronauts orbited the moon, paving the way for the 1969 Apollo 11 mission that fulfilled President Kennedy's vision of landing a man on the moon. Sandler's primary narrative is exciting, with dramatic archival photographs in both black-and-white and color. An engaging and informative volume, published on the mission's fiftieth anniversary. Source notes included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider

(3) 4-6 The talented black women working at NASA's Langley facility in the mid-twentieth century started as mathematics "human computers," but persisted through racism and sexism to make significant contributions as engineers, analysts, and programmers. Shetterly's outstanding young readers' edition of her similarly titled adult book highlights the intersecting worlds of educated, middle-class southern African Americans and Cold War space program scientists. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. This unique nonfiction picture book tells the story of the Apollo missions in poignant verse, accompanied by pastel, colored-pencil, and airbrush illustrations. Beginning with President Kennedy's 1961 challenge to land on the moon and ending with the success of Apollo 11 in 1969, the result is immersive and both factually and emotionally powerful. Inserts with photographs and facts about the missions appear throughout; additional contextual information is appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) 4-6 Epic Fails series. Illustrated by Tim Foley. That failures lead to success is the theme of this history of space flight, from early rockets through missions to the moon to the present. The Apollo 1 tragedy and other NASA missteps are discussed as leading to the triumphant Apollo 11 moon walk. A light, humorous tone and plenty of black-and-white illustrations and photos make this an engaging read. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(2) 4-6 Thimmesh introduces the 400,000-strong army that got Armstrong and company to the moon and back. The narrative balances what could have been a recitation of corporate names with a colloquial approach and high drama; primary source material gives specificity to the thousands. A striking white-on-black design and gorgeous archival photographs enhance the presentation. Back matter authenticates this highly original addition to space exploration literature. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Vicky Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2006

(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: They Survived series. An abundance of photographs and clear, vivid text portray the 1970 Apollo 13 disaster. The chronological narrative leads readers through the routine early stages of the mission, the explosion and its aftermath, and the astronauts' safe return to earth. The photographs are mostly archival, including only a few clearly captioned movie stills. Survival tips are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) 4-6 24-Hour History series. A combination of clearly drawn comics and informative text boxes introduces readers to the United States' first lunar landing. A brief preamble and extensive back matter provide context. Although attempts to inject humor are flat and uninspired, the exposition provides an excellent overview, and overall the graphic-narrative experience is exciting. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn