Starred review from December 15, 2024
A young readers' adaptation of Grush's 2023 title for adults, which traces the stories of the first six U.S. women astronauts to journey to space. This compelling and inspiring account introduces readers to Shannon Lucid, Rhea Seddon, Anna Fisher, Judy Resnik, Sally Ride, and Kathy Sullivan, offering insights into their early dreams of traveling among the stars. Subsequent chapters focus on the individual obstacles that each of the astronauts faced on their career paths, including their first ventures into space. Packed with emotion and heart, the work provides powerful insights into the astronauts' hopes and ambitions as they broke incredible barriers themselves and paved the way for other women. An account of the space shuttleChallenger disaster, which took the life of seven people, including Resnik and schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe, provides poignant clarity about the cause of the explosion as well as the findings of the subsequent investigation. TheChallenger disaster forever changed the way NASA approached safety and resulted in many new procedures and processes. It also helped NASA leaders finally understand that "courage and perseverance in the most pressure-filled situations are traits that don't belong to a single gender or race." This riveting account is an effortless and irresistible read that many young readers will find difficult to set down. A superbly executed account of women astronauts who achieved greatness despite overwhelming challenges. (note from Grush, timeline, biographical sketches, sources)(Nonfiction. 10-14)
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February 1, 2025
Grades 5-8 This is a thoroughly engaging young readers' version of 2023's well-received The Six, the story of the women who were members of NASA's 1978 astronaut corps (the first class that allowed women to apply). This is a collective biography, with each candidate being introduced (family, education, burgeoning interest in space) in a separate chapter, followed by their shared experiences woven together in subsequent sections. There are memorable anecdotes and myriad examples of ingrained cultural and institutional misogyny, ranging from being assigned mundane tasks and being banned from any high-risk endeavors to dealing with derogatory media coverage. The text emphasizes how these women were professionals who made important contributions, highlighting their skills, determination, and dedication. Some names will be more familiar (Sally Ride, the first American woman in space; Judith Resnik, who died in the Challenger explosion, an event covered in detail); every woman eventually did make it into space. Useful for reports (back matter includes a time line, brief individual profiles, and sources identified in essay format), this will capture the attention of STEM-minded aspiring astronauts.
COPYRIGHT(2025) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.