(3) K-3 In this visually sublime, thoroughly researched picture book, Floca selects details to transform science into relatable experience. Throughout, Floca engages readers with his spare lyricism and with the artistry of his watercolor and ink illustrations. He uses the format to perfection, with large pictures to communicate size, power, and perspective; sequenced panels to show steps unfolding; and vignettes to catch particular moments. This edition has been expanded for the fiftieth anniversary of the first moon landing. Timeline.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2009

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Scott Brundage. A cumulative tale modeled after "The House That Jack Built" depicts the journey of the first three astronauts who traveled to the moon on Apollo 11. Additional bulleted facts accompany the author's lyrical, descriptive verses up to the welcome afforded the heroic travelers upon returning home. Brundage's cool palette enhances a mainly night-set story well-suited to bedtime reading. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alan Marks. Slade uses the moon's unique vantage to celebrate the twelve men who have walked on its surface, some of whose names will likely be new to readers. Watercolor illustrations capture the moon's rocky surface and other small details, the most poignant being the faces of the three Apollo 13 astronauts whose lunar mission was aborted. Extensive endnotes and photographs add richness. Reading list, timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(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

(3) 4-6 STEM Trailblazer Bios series. This set of the continuing series features both contemporary and historical science and technology innovators. The inspiring profiles, which touch on childhood, education, and the subjects' breakthrough accomplishments, will tie in well with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curriculum objectives. A colorful, easy-to-read format features photos and "tech talk" sidebars with quotes, mostly from the "trailblazers" themselves. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these STEM Trailblazer Bios titles: Space Engineer and Scientist Margaret Hamilton, Genius Physicist Albert Einstein, Inventor, Engineer, and Physicist Nikola Tesla, Astronaut Ellen Ochoa, NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson, and Super Soaker Inventor Lonnie Johnson.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(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 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 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

(4) YA People's History series. Beginning with the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik, Kuhn describes the history and mindset leading to the fierce competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to be the first to send astronauts to the moon. The photographs and page layouts are disappointingly workmanlike, but Kuhn's prose is clear and lively. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(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) K-3 Illustrated by Wendell Minor. Though Aldrin's picture book autobiography follows the predictable trajectory of early and lifelong interest, pioneering attitude, and success through team and individual effort, its careful use of detail adds compelling immediacy to his moon landing story. Vivid illustrations use varying points of view effectively as Aldrin moves from military pilot to a team that "came in peace for all mankind." Chronology.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 I Like Biographies! series. Each book briefly describes the subject's childhood and historical significance. Tubman includes a simple explanation of slavery that provides an appropriate context for the abolitionist's accomplishments. Informative captions accompany full-page color and black-and-white photos, some of which are poorly chosen. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these I Like Biographies! titles: Read about Harriet Tubman and Read about Neil Armstrong.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Each double-page spread features an accomplished (unlabeled) acrylic painting of equipment or astronauts and a brief paragraph of text. Sidebars provide more detailed (though brief) explanations. Those interested in the Apollo 11 mission will find this an adequate introduction but will need to look elsewhere for more depth. To this end, a reading list would have been helpful.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Events That Shaped America series. This book gives an overview of the U.S. space program from President Kennedy's challenge to the tragedy of Columbia. The treatment of the events is too brief for the time span covered, but readers seeking information for reports might find the book helpful. Sidebars, photographs, and drawings enhance the text. Activities, reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Science Links series. Aided by archival and color photos, Moonwalkers recalls the first manned lunar landing; it stretches a bit by examining later projects, including the space station and unmanned missions to Mars. The more focused volume, Eye, introduces the Hubble Space Telescope, describes the mission to repair it, and reproduces some of the beautiful color images taken by the Hubble. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Science Links titles: Moonwalkers and Eye on the Universe.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Collins, the astronaut who remained in orbit while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon's surface, is the ostensible focus of what is basically a general overview of the entire Apollo 11 journey. Photos, drawings, and reproductions give the volume a stunning appearance, but the facts are presented in a scattershot manner--making this well-designed book more impressionistic than informational. Glos.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Countdown to Space series. These are detailed, readable histories of the U.S. space program. The purposes and personal aspects of the missions are thoroughly covered, and the rewards and the dangers of space exploration are recounted. (Spacechimp contains a few misleading statements). The accessible texts are accompanied by plenty of well-captioned photos and diagrams, though the book design is busy. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs