Ultimate Field Trip #5: Blasting Off To Space Academy [Hardcover]

Susan E. Goodman (Author), Michael J. Doolittle (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001 | Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Ultimate Field Trip (Book 5)

What's the best part of being an astronaut? Is it the excitement of leaving the Earth behind at the mind-boggling speed of 25,000 mph? Is it the chance to float around a shuttle in zero gravity? Or make new scientific discoveries? Or go out on a space walk?

Few of us get to answer these questions for ourselves by rocketing into space. But a group of kids took the first step by going to U.S. Space Academy. For close to a week, they tried on flight suits and the lives of training astronauts. They used NASA simulators and learned how to walk on the Moon and how to work without gravity. They walked, talked, read, lived space travel.

Then, they blasted off on a mission of their own....

Susan E. Goodman and Michael J. Doolittle bring the adventures of science and space travel alive in the fifth book of the Ultimate Field Trip series. Vivid storytelling and photos help readers don mental space suits and go along for the ride.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-This book follows student trainees through a weeklong session at the U.S. Space Academy in Huntsville, AL, as they are exposed to what it takes to become an astronaut and to the inner workings of the entire space program. Trainees get to wear space suits, experience zero gravity, and learn how to work cooperatively in an atmosphere much like walking in space. They study the International Space Station's design and its significance. A culminating activity has teams of trainees work together in different roles as they experience an actual space mission. Varied-colored pages, replete with outstanding full-color, captioned photos, are artistically appealing as well as informative. Sidebars include quotes from the youngsters and an "Amazing Space Facts Countdown" (beginning with 10 and counting down to liftoff) that describes various aspects and historical occurrences within the program. This is an appealing offering for general readers and for browsing.

Betsy Barnett, Eads School District, CO

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. Fifth in the Ultimate Field Trip series, this colorful volume records the experiences of 16 young people attending the U.S. Space Academy. Interspersed with information about the training are the kids' own comments on their activities and experiences. Clear, colorful photographs by Michael Doolittle appear on every page and include a breathtaking shot taken during free-fall on the Space Shot ride. "Amazing Space Facts" in occasional sidebars add bits of intriguing information. Readers with an interest in space flight or the Space Academy itself will be ready to sign up by the end of the book, when the space campers have completed their preparations and their vicarious mission to launch the Endeavor, fix the Hubble Space Telescope, and land the shuttle. A glossary and a brief bibliography are appended. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689830440
• ISBN-13: 978-0689830440
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,780,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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