T-Minus: The Race to the Moon (Paperback)

~ (Author), Zander Cannon (Illustrator), Kevin Cannon (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Question:

What happens when you take two global superpowers, dozens of daring pilots, thousands of engineers and scientists, and then point them at the night sky and say "Go!"?

Answer:

A SPACE RACE!

The whole world Followed the countdown to sending the first men to the moon. T-Minus: The Race to the Moon is the story of the people who made it happen, both in the rockets and behind the scenes.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (May 19, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416949607
• ISBN-13: 978-1416949602
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,012 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #22 in	Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Exploration & Discoveries
  #98 in	Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > United States > Fiction > 1900s

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable look at the space race told comic book style, June 19, 2009

By	Mark McGinty "Author, "Elvis and the Blue... (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews

As we "deet deet deet" into the first panel like a capsule descending from outer space, we enter the remarkable world of a space race told comic book style. I've always been a fan of a storyteller who lights a fuse right away. Give us a ticking bomb, a deadline, a finite amount of time in which our hero must succeed or face annihilation: Run Lola Run and Back to the Future did it perfectly and we all remember the catastrophic Y2K computer bug that nearly wiped out the human race and unraveled the fabric of the space-time continuum. Thankfully Dick Clark was there to bring us home in the nick of time.

In the case of T-Minus, the countdown is the premise of the book and while the reader knows that the race will be won when the clock expires, the book's characters are racing against a different deadline: JFK's challenge to put a man on the moon and return him to earth by the end of the decade.

So brings T-Minus: The Race to the Moon, a compelling behind-the-scenes story of the space race filled with software glitches, landing bags that deploy prematurely, loose heat shields and a pair of cosmonauts forced to hide in their downed capsule while Siberian wolves threaten them outside. Told with parallel stories of the United States vs. the Soviet Union, with characters that come and go as the years pass, the artwork pulls you into the world of scientists and space travelers and makes you feel what they actually felt. The character introductions are subtle. Every few pages I say to myself "Oh, there's John Glenn..." or "Hey, that's Yuri Gagarin." They are woven in seamlessly and their allegiance is discernable by a clever variance in speech bubble font (the Russkies speak their words with a backwards N). And it's nice to see that the Soviets aren't portrayed as evil, mindless thugs (Indy 4?) but competent, brilliant scientists and explorers...that is, until they get desperate.

The crisp artwork is filled with first-rate detail, with tiny lifelike tools, soldiers marching to battle and endless knobs, buttons and switches. Most captivating is the iconic imagery of the space missions, especially the highlights drawn into the margins which are reminiscent of the one-shot Sergio Aragonés cartoons from Mad Magazine.

As I sit and write this on a day when six humans in space are awaiting the arrival of seven more, the most ever together in space at one time, I realize what a big deal it was to have two men in space at once, how far we've come and how far we have yet to go. Best part of the book: Yuri Gagarin's landing in the middle of a field and his greeting to the two startled spectators who happen to be nearby.

As a space buff I thought this was a terrific book that elaborated on a great story that we all know. Meant to educate children ages 9-12 it will provide certain enjoyment for adults (I finally learned what woomera means). This is best exemplified by an astronaut who defies his orders and absolutely refuses to go to bed while orbiting the moon because he is too busy taking pictures. Can you blame him? I'd fight to stay awake too!

Mark McGinty is the author of ELVIS AND THE BLUE MOON CONSPIRACY

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, June 3, 2009

By	Johane Matte (Burbank, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Jim Ottaviani has edited many great graphic novels based on scientific subject, and this one is my new recent favorite. A great retelling of the events of the moon race between Russia and the US. The art by Zander Cannon and Kevin Cannon is nice, solid and well researched.
Definitely recommended for readers of all ages.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced, entertaining and educational, too!, August 11, 2009

By	Rob Hess - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A great story, well told and beautifully illustrated. I couldn't put it down. Aside from the engaging story-line, this incredible work is loaded with interesting facts and figures. The author and illustrators clearly have tremendous passion for the subject, and their enthusiasm is infectious. I truly enjoyed this memorable read, highly recommended.