(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

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk. In straightforward text with a folksy refrain of "count on me," this picture book biography introduces the life of math genius, NASA computer, and Hidden Figures notable Katherine Johnson, culminating in her Apollo 13 triumph. Phumiruk's illustrations, created in Photoshop with scans of watercolors and textures, are clean and precise; small figures give way to a dramatic close-up of Johnson calculating the safe flight path home. Bib.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(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 Fact Finders: What Went Wrong? series. This brief overview of the historic space mission contains a wealth of gripping details. The swift narrative begins with disastrous equipment failures that ultimately kept the Apollo 13 crew members from completing their mission and ends with their safe return to earth after six grueling days in space. Color photos and diagrams illustrate the text, while sidebars expand on the information. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(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 The book begins with a young Jim Lovell reading a sci-fi magazine and dreaming of space. The narrative then moves toward the plight of Apollo 13 and the teamwork that brought its astronauts safely back to earth. Sidebars provide supporting information and facts. Large-scale, realistic acrylics effectively display the drama of the story. There are no source notes.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale