How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
Review Detail
Kids Nonfiction
485
Kennedy and the US Space Program
Overall rating
4.0
Writing Style
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
3.0
Learning Value
5.0
NASA and the US space program are a direct result of the increases in aeronautical technology due to World War II, and many of the astronauts began their careers in the military at this time. This books follows the life and career of President John F. Kennedy in tandem with the development of the US space program that led to the first moon shot, sadly, after his death.
The space program was far more political than younger readers may realize, heavily dependent on controversial German scientists like Wernher von Braun, who started out in Nazi rocket development, and motivated by a race with the Soviet Union. Kennedy used the space program in his efforts to win public office, and also to gain funding for US education. If only the public were concerned today that the US was falling behind other countries and needed to catch up!
The space program was far more political than younger readers may realize, heavily dependent on controversial German scientists like Wernher von Braun, who started out in Nazi rocket development, and motivated by a race with the Soviet Union. Kennedy used the space program in his efforts to win public office, and also to gain funding for US education. If only the public were concerned today that the US was falling behind other countries and needed to catch up!
Good Points
This is a well-researched book with copious end notes and helpful bibliography. There are a few black and white photographs in the text of the book, and a small section of color ones in the center of the paperback. My only quibble with this book is that the paperback, due to its smaller size, has smaller print than most middle grade readers prefer. The detailed nature of the text would make this a good choice for high school readers as well.
2019, the fiftieth anniversary of the first moon landing, saw a number of books published, including Brown's graphic novel Rocket to the Moon, Johnson's autobiography Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson, Michael Collins's Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story, Ashby's biography Rocket Man: The Mercury Adventure of John Glenn and Siegal's 2020 To Fly Among the Stars. This young readers' edition is a good addition to this collection for pleasure reading or research.
2019, the fiftieth anniversary of the first moon landing, saw a number of books published, including Brown's graphic novel Rocket to the Moon, Johnson's autobiography Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson, Michael Collins's Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story, Ashby's biography Rocket Man: The Mercury Adventure of John Glenn and Siegal's 2020 To Fly Among the Stars. This young readers' edition is a good addition to this collection for pleasure reading or research.
Comments
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
Powered by JReviews
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
FEATURED GIVEAWAYS
It’s Live! Cover Reveal: Off Trail by Rick Polito + Giveaway (US Only)
We're so excited to celebrate the cover reveal for Off Trail by Rick Polito, releasing 06/03/2021 from Wise Wolf Books! Writing OFF TRAIL, it sometimes felt like the story was telling itself. I ...
Posted in News & Updates
Spotlight on Stars Belong To Us (Annabeth Chatwin), Excerpt, Plus Giveaway! ~ (US/Can Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight Stars Belong To Us by Annabeth Chatwin. Read on for more about Annabeth and her book, an excerpt, plus an giveaway! Meet Annabet...
Posted in News & Updates
Spotlight on Horse Girl (Carrie Seim), Excerpt, Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight Horse Girl by Carrie Seim. Read on for more about Carrie and her book, an excerpt, plus an giveaway! Meet Carrie Seim ! &...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Of The Week: Author Chat with Kathryn Purdie (Bone Crier's Dawn), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week !! Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release! We will also be hosting a givea...
Posted in News & Updates
Five Tough Tactics for Protesting at School + Win A Copy of Kids On The March: 15 Stories of Speaking Out, Protesting, and Fighting for Justice (Michael Long) ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight Kids On The March: 15 Stories of Speaking Out, Protesting, and Fighting for Justice by Michael Long. Read on for more about Michael and his book, an guest...
Posted in News & Updates
Five Books With Magic Users That Will Charm You + Win a Copy of Blood Like Magic (Liselle Sambury) ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury Read on for more about Liselle and her book, an guest post, plus an giveaway! Meet Liselle S...
Posted in News & Updates
Latest Book Listings Added
Bite-sized facts about forests from around the globe, pointing out...
In this tender, nuanced coming-of-age love story, two boys—one who...
When twin heirs are born in Tourin, their fates...
Bite-sized facts about bodies of water from around the globe,...
Magnificent, hand-painted illustrations by a rising star of Czech watercolor...
It's Mouse's first day of school. It's Dinosaur's first day...
I'm Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter meets Emergency Contact...
In this sparkling and romantic YA debut, a reserved Bangladeshi...
From hot dogs and hamburgers to ice cream and pizza,...
Latest Member Reviews
"UNCHOSEN by Katharyn Blair is a YA Dystopian novel set in the future after the Crimson, a virus-like curse, turns..."
"HURRICANE SUMMER is a sweeping coming-of-age story that captures the difficult and at times dangerous transition to womanhood. Tilla is..."
"ALL KINDS OF OTHER is an intriguing YA contemporary that follows two boys as they start at a new school...."
"WHAT I LOVED: Tracy's family is an outsider in multiple ways in their Texas town: they're one of the..."
"COUNTING DOWN WITH YOU is a heart-wrenching and visceral YA contemporary read. Karina (Myra is her familial name) is a..."
"IN DEEPER WATERS is an intriguing and fast-paced YA fantasy. Tal is the fourth of five royal children in a..."
"THESE FEATHERED FLAMES is an enchanting YA fantasy about sisterhood, power, and destiny. When twins are born in the royal..."
"THE OTHER SIDE OF PERFECT is an engrossing YA contemporary about loss, grief, moving on, friendship, and sisterhood. Alina has..."
"INDIVISIBLE is a heartfelt and riveting YA contemporary about family, feeling different, and immigration in the US. Mateo is a..."
"“A good friendship is like a work of art.” Megan and Cass have been friends forever. Their..."
"THE PRISON HEALER is a stunning and captivating YA fantasy read. This book takes place in a prison, Zalindov, which..."
"There were so many things I really liked about this book. The case of the missing girls was obviously the..."
"POISON PRIESTESS is an intriguing YA historical fiction that follows Catherine Monvoisin, a fortune teller and infamous master of poisons...."
"EMBER OF NIGHT is an intense and steamy YA fantasy read. The book follows Harley, an almost 18-year-old who has..."
"THE SKY ABOVE US is a YA drama about grief, loss, and the search for something better. The book follows..."
"POISONED by Jennifer Donnelly is a YA fairytale retelling of the original Snow White by the Brothers Grimm. In it,..."
"[b]AMOXIL[/b] is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as ear infections, bladder infections, pneumonia,..."
"WHAT BEAUTY THERE IS is a consuming and compelling YA thriller. The book is told from several points-of-view, but primarily..."
"HAVOC is an intriguing continuation of a YA paranormal romance. In this world, witches and werewolves live side by side..."
"COMING UP FOR AIR is an intense and heart-wrenching YA contemporary with some heavy themes. The book is told between..."