To Space and Back [Paperback]

Sally Ride (Author), Susan Okie (Author)

Book Description

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

Much has been written about the vast scientific importance of space exploration, but very little about the human side of being a member of an astronaut crew. In this book, with the help of journalist Susan Okie, Sally Ride shares the personal experience of traveling into space.America's first woman astronaut answers questions most frequently asked about a journey through space.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1 Up From the alarm clock ringing at 3:15 a.m. on launch day to getting used to gravity again after returning to Earth, Sally Ride takes readers on a trip in a space shuttle. This oversized book has plenty of clear, full-color photos that follow and supplement the text and bring to life the shuttle flight. Ride's zest for the adventure comes through clearly, making this a book that can be read aloud to young children, please an adult, or inspire anyone in between. This is much shorter and more accessible than previous accounts by astronauts, e.g., Gemini! (Macmillan, 1966; o.p.) by Virgil "Gus" Grissom or Flying to the Moon (Farrar, 1976) by Michael Collins. Just the right book to keep the dream alive while awaiting the next chance for a new American space adventure. Margaret L. Chatham, formerly at Smithtown Library, N.Y.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"...comes through clearly, making this a book that can be read aloud to young children, please an adult, or inspire anyone in between." -- -- School Library Journal, Starred Review

"An engrossing account of a space journey, from blastoff to landing, gives intimate, you-are-there details..." -- -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, University of Chicago, Starred Review

"This book is an important contribution to all that has been written about space travel..." -- -- The Chicago Tribune --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (August 18, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688091121
• ISBN-13: 978-0688091125
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Astronomy & Space > Aeronautics & Space
  • #76 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Astronomy & Space > Astronomy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for kids and parents., March 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: To Space and Back (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful, well-written book about a space shuttle mission from start to finish. My 7-year old was enthralled by the book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it to him. The book covers topics that are of interest to kids as well as adults, such as how astronauts go to the bathroom in space, how they eat, sleep and shave, etc. It also covers topics that earthbound folk such as me never even thought about, such as what is done with all the weightless hair, crumbs, and the like that float around the cabin at the end of the day. The topics range from the mundane to the scientific. Orbit, launching and retrieving sattelites, and scientific experiments are discussed in easily understable language. I highly recommend this book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To Space And Back, You Really Do Go To Space With This Book., March 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: To Space and Back (Paperback)

If you, like me, dream of exploring space, then this is the book for you to read. This book litteraly puts you in the shuttle during one of the flights. From countdown to landing, this book takes you through it all. Out of all the astronaut books that I have read, this one is the best.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I found this book to be Fascinating!!, September 8, 2004

By 

Blaine Greenfield "eclectic reader" (Belle Meade, NJ) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Space and Back (Hardcover)

Heard the taped version of TO SPACE AND BACK by Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly in space . . . though supposedly written for a young adult audience, I nevertheless found it a fascinating account of what it would be to like to have to eat, sleep and work while circling the Earth.

It has also made me think twice about consuming something as simple as a peanut butter sandwich . . . while you or I would just go to our fridge and prepare such a delicacy in minutes, when in space, you can't just do this whenever you want to . . . you must have at least one other person with you at all times to do such mundane tasks as hold the jar lid when you go to get a knife.