The U.S. Space Camp Book of Astronauts [Hardcover]

Roy Attaway (Author)

Book Description

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

Biographies of America's astronauts with a history of the space program.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?Brief biographical sketches of 14 astronauts and mission and payload specialists are introduced by an equally brief overview of the early days of the "space race." The information is presented to readers as though they were a part of a group of children at the U.S. Space Camp. An inspirational look at the future of manned space exploration concludes the book. Full-color photographs illustrate the text. This title should appeal to both browsers and report writers, although the latter will need to use additional sources to complete their work. Libraries owning Michael Cassutt's Who's Who in Space (Macmillan, 1993) will find the photos to be the main draw of Baird's offering: all 14 of the astronauts covered here are included in Cassutt's book. Baird does focus a little more on the childhood of several of her subjects, but this is not a critical distinction. Ray Spangenburg's Space People from A-Z (Facts on File, 1990) covers 12 of the 14, although some of the entries are very short. Both Cassutt and Spangenburg include Russian cosmonauts in addition to the American astronauts. Where there is a need for additional sources for reports, Baird's volume is a respectable supplement. Cassutt's, however, provides more for the money.?Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. Baird's intriguing guide highlights astronauts throughout the history of the space program, from the Mercury pioneers to mission specialists in the current shuttle program. This attractive book offers biographical profiles of 14 astronauts as well as many full-color photographs. The thin framework story involves a group of children at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, receiving information about the astronauts from their counselor. These short, rather contrived scenes and conversations detract from an otherwise excellent book that is notable for the lively style of its nonfiction writing and the broad appeal of its subject. The photos, appearing on nearly every page, include unusual pictures taken during training and flights, as well as the standard NASA portraits of crews and individuals. Carolyn Phelan

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 26, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688122264
• ISBN-13: 978-0688122263
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,446,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.