Almost Astronauts 13 Women Who Dared to Dream Reviewed by Vanessa Flores
Bibliography
Stone, Tanya Lee. Almost Astronauts 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Somerville: Candlewick Press. 2006. ISBN 0374309620
Plot Summary
Almost Astronauts is a true story of 13 women who were on their way to becoming astronauts. Through the help of Dr. Lovelace, these courageous women underwent Phase 1 testing, similar if not more rigorous than the tests done on the men astronauts. The first to undergo these tests was Jerrie Cobb, who paved the way for how well women would do on these tests. The book describes the many tests the women under went and how well they scored, but this did not help convince those who were against women becoming astronauts. The role of a woman was in their home and many believed they had the right stuff but it was not the right time for them. After about 20 years the first female to go up in space was Sally Ride but it took much more time after that for Eilleen Collins to be the first to sit in the drivers seat and command the mission. Jerrie Cobb describes how happy she is to see all her dreams come true, she only wished that it had been her and her fellow woman who began the journey in the 1960’s to go up in space.
Critical Analysis
This informational book begins with the first chapter, which sends us back into the events that lead to that day in 1999. The rest of the book is set up written in chronological order to explain the details that the Mercury 13 women had to go through in order to almost become astronauts. The clearly well organized chapters have a magazine feel to it because of the remarkable black and white photographs that depict the every detail of the women’s testing and visual appearance till the very end when the pictures become color. The index or table of contents of the book gives the book a better organization for finding quick facts.
Review Excerpt(s) to fall in love with the detail drawn.
2010 - Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
From School
Library Journal- “Illustrated with sheaves of photos, and based on
published sources, recently discovered documents, and original interviews with
surviving members of the "Mercury 13," this passionately written
account of a classic but little-known challenge to established gender
prejudices also introduces readers to a select group of courageous, independent
women."
From Publishers
Weekly- “Readers with an interest in history and in women's struggle for
equality will undoubtedly be moved.
From VOYA- “ Stone does an admirable job of
compiling and crediting her facts and figures and of profiling these strong and
adventurous women.”
Connections:
Discover additional non-fiction books written by Tanya Stone, such as:
Courage Has No Color, The True Story of the Triple Nickles: America's First Black Paratroopers. ISBN: 0763665487
Discover additional books on women and space such as:
Atkins,
Jeannine. Wings and Rockets: The Story of Women in Air and Space ISBN:9780374384500
Margaret
A. Weitekamp. Right Stuff, Wrong Sex: America's First Women in Space Program (Gender
Relations in the American Experience) ISBN: 0801883946
The following activities are available to use as resources:
Reading Guide available through the Tanya Stone website
Poetry Tribute to the Mercury 13 women astronauts
Frogs Reviewed by Vanessa Flores
Bibliography
Bishop, Nic. Frog. New York: Scholastic Publishing Inc. 2008. ISBN 439877555
Summary
This nonfiction photo essay book, describes where we can find frogs, where they live, what are their characteristics, what they eat and how, as well as the different types of frogs.
The book describes that they can be found on every continent except for Antarctica and they live in wet damp places. Each frog is unique in its own characteristics depending on its surroundings and needs. Their abilities to protect themselves and aid their survival are all described in this wonderfully detailed and organized book.
Critical Analysis
A colorful description of frogs through facts and brilliant colored photos, this photo essay book, helps grab a reader’s attention. Unlike other nonfiction books, this book does not have a table of contents but the easy flow of information guides the readers understanding. If looking for something specific, the index is available in the back of the book. Nic Bishop uses his style of photographs and design to reach his readers interests by using the colorful font and layout.
Review Excerpt(s) to fall in love with the detail drawn.
·
2009 - American Library Association
Notable Books for Children
·
2009 - Flicker Tale Children's Book
Award
·
2008 - School Library Journal Best
Books of the Year
·
2011 - Garden State Children's Book
Awards
·
2011 - Beehive Children's
Informational Book Award
From School
Library Journal- “A nice personal touch is an enthusiastic author's note,
wherein Bishop describes his methods and the pleasure of pursuing frogs to
photograph.”
From Booklist-“Even
libraries with dozens of frog books on the shelf should make room for this
eye-catching volume.”
Connections:
Discover additional non-fiction books written by Nic Bishop, such as:
Marsupials.
ISBN: 9780439877589
Spiders ISBN:
0439877563
The following activities are available to use as resources:
Learn more about the author, Nic Bishop:
Additional information and activities about frogs:
Glaciers Reviewed by Vanessa Flores
Bibliography
Walker, Sally M. Glaciers. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Company. 2006. ISBN 0822579960
Summary
Learning about glaciers and their many attributes can be rather tricky, but in this book the images help the reader understand that Glaciers are a huge icy pile of ice and snow that begin to move. It describes the places where glaciers can begin to form as well as how they form. The book describes the many different types of Glaciers that can form and the movement they make whether on land or water and the impact they can make on the earth’s surface.
Critical Analysis
This book is filled with facts and images to help with a child’s curiosity about glaciers. The organized division of chapters allows the reader to understand one question at a time while at the same time having an index for quick fact references. The design of the book enhances the images of glaciers and their surroundings to help understand and grab the reader’s attention. Each image has a description to aid in the comprehension of the photo. The book also gives a guide for adults to learn how to share the information found in this book with children.
Review Excerpt(s) to fall in love with the detail drawn.
There are no reviews available at the moment.
Connections:
Discover additional non-fiction books written by Sally Walker, such as:
Manatees.
ISBN: 1575052997
Fossil fish found alive : discovering the coelacanth. ISBN: 1575055368
Discover other Early
Bird Earth Science books written by Sally Walker such as:
Caves ISBN: 9780822567349
Reefs ISBN: 9780822567387
Science activities on glaciers:
·
Explore Vocabulary by being a Word Detective:
o
using the words on pg. 5 and the glossary on pg.
46
·
Glacier National Park activities and resources
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