Customer Reviews

Moonwalk: The First Trip to the Moon (Step-Into-Reading, Step 5)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Moonwalk, The First Trip to the Moon, by Judy Donnelly and Dennis Davidson, was based on the United States Space Program in it's attempt to out do the Russian program. The U. S. wanted to put 2 men on the moon and after numerous tries and a few fatalities the U. S. Space Program succeeded. Apollo 11 was the first rocket to land on the moon. I found this book very exciting. I learned much about how the space program worked and what it took to get to the moon and back again safely. I encourage other young readers to read Moonwalk. It will inspire many readers as it did me to study more about the future of space travel and our space program.

I read this to my 6-year-old, and we were both mesmerized. The story is told exceptionally well. First there is some "action," then some history, then more action. Practical details about rockets and space travel will fascinate kids and adults alike. And after reading this book, no one will forget the meaning of the words, "The Eagle has landed" and "That's one small step...." It sounds silly, but I actually got choked up at the climax (moon landing).
This is a great book for any kid interested in the original development of the space program, up to the first walk on the moon. I can't make a pronouncement about the reading level (maybe third grade?), but you could read it to a 5-year-old, and I think even most adults would like this book. I'm going to be looking for other books by this author.

Moonwalk: The First Trip to the Moon (Step-Into-Reading, Step 5)

This is probably a good book for an older child. I am reading to a 4 year old. He needs smaller bites of information which is more directly to the point. This is kind of wordy for us and goes off subject to Jules Verne's book and early crack pot ideas on how to get to the moon. Maybe an older kid would be interested in that anecdotal information. But it doesn't work for us.

We read tons of Easy readers. Most of them are very good. Some of the level 4 books are like this one. Lots of good information but too much extra. I wish they would make books on the same subject matter but more at level 2 or 3. Unfortunately all the good informational books are level 4. There is a big leap between level 3 and level 4 books. The difference seems like there should be another level in between these two. We will save this one until he gets older and can appreciate the extra info in it. The first and last chapters are on subject so we read these for now.

All that said we still love all these books. I appreciate the levels for learning to read.

I purchased these books (most of the titles in the Step 4 and 5 series) several months ago, but have been giving them out one at a time to my daughter, who is currently in first grade. She loves to read fiction, and has devoured many of the chapter books I've purchased for her or checked out of the library. I was looking for an interesting series of non-fiction books for her, and these seemed like the perfect introduction to the genre.

There are lots of illustrations and archival photographs covering the moon launch in 1969. The appeal of this reader lies mainly in the way the information is condensed to suit the needs of young readers - informative, yet not overly descriptive nor steeped in jargon. Also, the illustrations on each page motivate young readers, especially visual learners like my daughter.

The Step 5 readers are described as "ready for chapters, grades 2-4", though children who are younger and are at an advanced reading level will find these books interesting and suitably challenging as well.

Shows one of the most magnificent adventures of humankind in a nice to read way for young readers.