Home on the Moon: Living on a Space Frontier [Hardcover]

Marianne J. Dyson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Imagine living on the moon. What would you eat? Where and how would you make your home? Written by a former NASA mission controller with firsthand knowledge of the space program, this intriguing book combines a vivid description of humankind’s race to the moon with a detailed vision of the moon as our next frontier. Dyson packs lots of moon science into this futuristic vision, presenting kids with key facts in many fields—from geology to engineering to astronautics. Actual images of the moon from NASA’s extensive files are paired throughout with imaginative yet accurate artistic renditions of how a moon colony might look. And four fun, hands-on activities make even the most difficult concepts easy for kids to grasp.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-A former NASA Mission Controller turns real-estate agent, of sorts, in this engaging look at the Moon's history, resources, and potential as a site for future colonization. After hitching a vicarious ride aboard Apollo 8, Dyson delves into the Moon's origins, explains which resources future settlers will find and which they will need to bring with them, describes the difficulties of the journey there, and offers general suggestions about colony design. Enhanced by plenty of big, clear, color photos and artists' conceptions; four low-tech science activities; and fact summaries about the Moon and the Apollo program, this title should not only be popular for reports, but is also apt to inspire a yen in more than a few young readers to walk where the astronauts walked.
John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. Dyson, who worked at NASA as a mission controller, makes a solid case for moon exploration and helps readers imagine what it will be like. Recounting the experiences of astronauts who visited the moon, she presents some of the challenges of building a lunar outpost and suggests how to meet them. Detailed captions accompany the colorful illustrations, which include impressive photographs, maps, paintings and digital pictures. Each chapter ends with a suggested activity, such as making an edible moon rock or building a model of a lunar explorer. A glossary and a source bibliography are appended, as well as lists of moon facts, astronauts who visited or orbited the moon, and recommended books and Web sites. Clear writing, vivid images, interesting details, and quotes from astronauts and scientists make this a lively, fact-filled introduction. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792271939
• ISBN-13: 978-0792271932
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 0.4 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,563,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marianne Dyson has a degree in physics and was one of the first ten women flight controllers for NASA. She has won the Golden Kite Award for nonfiction, and the American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award. She enjoys sharing her passion for space at schools and museums. For more info, visit her Web site, http://www.mdyson.com, or join her on Facebook.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award Winner, December 9, 2005

By 

Marianne Dyson (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Home on the Moon: Living on a Space Frontier (Hardcover)

As the author of this book and someone who always wondered if I should use my physics degree for something other than writing for kids, I am happy to share this wonderful news: A panel of distinguished scientists and journalists selected by the American Institute of Physics chose Home on the Moon to receive the prestigioius 2004 Science Writing Award in the children's category. This award consists of a $3,000 cash prize and an inscribed Windsor chair. More reviews and information about this book are available on my website.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for grade 4 to adult, March 12, 2007

By 

Bruce Irving "Flying Singer" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Home on the Moon: Living on a Space Frontier (Hardcover)

I especially like this book because it is rich in details from past moon missions and full of science-based projections of future possibilities. The explanations are clear and the illustrations are great (mostly paintings). With NASA's late 2006 announcement of plans to (eventually) establish a moon base, this book is a great resource. I re-read it a few days ago when I had to give a "back to the moon" presentation for a Big Brothers/Big Sisters event at the New England Air Museum, and it provided me with some good points to help the kids to better understand this "far out" stuff that will be part of their future.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book about the moon written for young people, May 28, 2003

By 

Geoffrey A. Landis "Scientist and SF writer" (Berea OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Home on the Moon: Living on a Space Frontier (Hardcover)

Marianne Dyson's book gives a realistic look at the science of travelling to, and living on the moon. Her easy-to-understand style, terrific enthusiasm, and excellent knowledge of the subject make this book one of the best books about the moon written for young people. Let's go to the moon!