A Smile as Big as the Moon: A Teacher, His Class, and Their Unforgettable Journey [Hardcover]

Mike Kersjes (Author), Joe Layden (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 23, 2002

Besides being a football coach at his Michigan High School, Mike
Kersjes taught special education classes, dealing with children whose disabilities included Tourette syndrome, Downs Syndrome, dyslexia, eating disorders and a variety of emotional problems.

One autumn Kersjes got the outlandish idea that his students would benefit from going to Space Camp, where, in conjunction with NASA, high school students compete in a variety of activities similar to those experienced by astronauts in training for space shuttle missions. There was only one problem: this program had been specifically designed for gifted and talented students, the best and the brightest from America's most privileged high schools.

Kersjes believed that, given a chance, his kids could do as well as anybody, and with remarkable persistence broke down one barrier after another, from his own principal's office to the inner sanctum of NASA, until Space Camp opened its doors, on an experimental basis, to special ed students. After nine months of rigorous preparation, during which the class molded itself into a working team, they arrived at Space Camp, where they turned in a performance so startling, so surprising, that it will leave the reader breathless. A truly triumphant story of the power of the human spirit.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From a magazine article, educator Kersjes learned that students from all over the country could spend six days training and living like astronauts at Space Camp, a 450-acre theme park, museum and educational center at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Alabama. Knowing his high school students would relish visiting the facility, he pitched the idea to a colleague; she questioned his sanity. He mentioned it to his principal, who responded, "`You should be preparing these students... for life beyond this school, not chasing some crazy dream.'" Why would an administrator be bitterly opposed to such an enriching experience? Because these students had developmental disabilities like Down's and Tourette's syndromes, as well as emotional problems. Despite the opposition, Kersjes was determined to give his students the experience of a lifetime. With co-teacher Robynn McKinney and parent chaperones, Kersjes loaded 20 students, age 14 through 17, onto a plane from Grand Rapids, Mich., making them the first group of special education students to attend Space Camp. Kersjes recounts that most of these kids had never allowed their reach to exceed their grasp, yet there they stood, ready to take on an activity that would daunt many adults. The obstacles were plenty. From the NASA education program's initial unwillingness, to the $50,000 needed for everyone to attend the camp, they met each challenge with enthusiasm and dignity, racking up some awards along the way. Kersjes's refreshing, heart-warming account proves that faith and vision can yield great things. Agent, Mickey Freiberg. (Feb.)Forecast: Jerry Bruckheimer (for Walt Disney Pictures) has purchased film rights to this uplifting story. Handselling by store clerks to junior high and high school teachers should boost sales.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

A high school special education teacher in Michigan, Kersjes faced enormous odds when he decided that he wanted his class to attend Space Camp in Huntsville, AL, a program aimed at providing simulated astronaut training for gifted students. His 20 students had a wide range of learning and emotional disabilities and were stigmatized by other students and teachers. Readers will be genuinely moved by the many funny, sad, irritating, and even frustrating scenes, as Kersjes relates the numerous bureaucratic and educational stumbling blocks he encountered trying to convince administrators at his school and at Space Camp that his students could benefit and succeed in the challenging program. Once those barriers were overcome, he faced huge problems raising money for travel and, more importantly, preparing his students for the rigors of five days of training. Their individual and group triumphs make for a feel-good tale that's highly recommended for academic and public libraries. Will Hepfer, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (February 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312273142
• ISBN-13: 978-0312273149
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Professionals & Academics > Educators

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Smile As Big As The Moon, November 22, 2005

By 

Evie (MCC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Smile as Big as the Moon: A Special Education Teacher, His Class, and Their Inspiring Journey Through U.S. Space Camp (Paperback)

A Smile as Big as the Moon is written by Mike Kersjes and Joe Layden. The setting is a classroom full of special students. The teacher tries to help the students be like everyone else and not feel that they are outcasts. The teacher (Mike Kersjes) helps students not be outcasts by taking them to space camp, and to do so he faces a lot of different obstacles. There are also other ways he makes them not feel like outcasts, but to find out you need to read the book. I give the book four stars because some of the areas in the book drag on and don't get to the point. Overall, the book has a great tone and is well written. The book, A Smile as Big as the Moon, is great for teachers or people who are facing difficult things in life.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Breaking Barriers, November 22, 2005

By 

Slacker (MCC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Smile as Big as the Moon: A Special Education Teacher, His Class, and Their Inspiring Journey Through U.S. Space Camp (Paperback)

A Smile as Big as the Moon by Mike Kersjes and Joe Layden is one of the most inspirational books I've read. This book is about a teacher that goes against all odds, taking a group of Special Ed. students to space camp. Everyone expected them to fail but he believed in his kids. One of the things that really impressed me is when three of his kids win the competition over the other camps. The story gets a little boring. Kersjes could have made the book more interesting in some parts, but the experience they went through is a great one and is inspirational for teachers and students.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, November 22, 2005

By 

Ashley (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Smile as Big as the Moon: A Special Education Teacher, His Class, and Their Inspiring Journey Through U.S. Space Camp (Paperback)

A Smile as Big as the Moon by Mike Kersjes is a book that I recommend to people of all ages. It's a cute story and is also inspiring. The way the teacher cares about his students teaches students and teachers both that one person can change the lives of others. The plot of the story convinces people that even though there are people that don't look, act, and do things the same way; everyone should be equal and treated the same way. It inspires people to try to make a difference in others' lives, and to try and help those who need a self-esteem boost. Most of the time all it takes is just a hello. So I give A Smile as Big as the Moon a 5 for inspiration.