Reaching for the Moon (Paperback)

~ Buzz Aldrin (Author), Wendell Minor (Illustrator) "The name my parents gave me was Edwin Eugene, but the name my sister gave me was the one that would stay with me all..." (more)
Key Phrases: West Point

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 1-4–A readable autobiography by the Apollo 11 astronaut who was the second man to walk on the Moon. Aldrin recounts episodes in his life that influenced his choice to become part of the space program. He briefly describes how he got his nickname and incidents from his childhood; his first airplane ride; his time at West Point and as an Air Force pilot; joining NASA; and his missions in the Gemini and Apollo programs, including the lunar landing. Although he strains at times to make a connection between his experiences and his character (e.g., riding his bike alone across the George Washington Bridge as evidence of his ability to do things himself), overall, the telling is entertaining and informative. A chronology of milestones in the history of flight is appended. Excellent, realistic paintings help describe the events mentioned in the text. Those depicting the space flights are particularly dramatic. Similar in style to Ann Turner's Abe Lincoln Remembers (HarperCollins, 2001), also illustrated by Minor, this book should be considered a first purchase.–Jeffrey A. French, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. In this picture book, Aldrin, the second man to step foot on the moon, relates the life events that led him to the space program and his assignment on Apollo 11. In straightforward language, he recounts his boyhood, college at West Point, early flight training, and admission to the space program. Periodically, the facts of Aldrin's life are supplemented by some unexpected details that give a sense of what space travel feels like. He says, for example, that the liftoff of the powerful Saturn V rockets was so gentle "that if I had not been looking at the instruments, I would never have known we were on our way." He ends by connecting his boyhood interest in rock collecting with his primary activity while on the moon: picking up rocks. Minor's colorful and precisely rendered illustrations help this effort really take off, especially in the images of Aldrin's space journeys. A brief chronology, which blends events in the history of flight and space exploration with a few events of Aldrin's life, rounds out this solid title. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Collins (May 20, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060554479
• ISBN-13: 978-0060554477
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #456,408 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last, a personal narrative from Buzz Aldrin to children!, May 31, 2005

By	Linda A. Morris (Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Reaching for the Moon (Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 (Awards)) (Hardcover)

Today, I was priviledged to read, for the first time, the very autographed copy of this book presented to my school library this past Friday from the astronaut himself. Dr. Aldrin is the school namesake and school advocate who visits us from time to time to show his support.

For the past several years, my students have gone away from the library disappointed because I didn't have any books written at the elementary level by Buzz Aldrin. No more! Coupled with the outstanding illustrations by Wendell Minor, this personal account of Aldrin from his childhood years to the preparation and completion of that infamous voyage is certainly worth the wait. The informative narrative is written at a level that reaches its target audience of children at elementary school age. Aldrin's mantra is that, if you believe in something strongly enough, and you are willing to dedicate yourself to achieving that goal, then, anything is possible. In this book he effectively conveys this message to the young reader.

My special thanks to Mr. Minor for convincing Dr. Aldrin to leave us this special legacy. Of the two first astonauts to walk on the moon, he is the only one to leave his story to children. I am so grateful that he has chosen to do so.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing and Inspiring, January 7, 2006

By	Walter Mitty "wmitty2166" (The Upper West Side (of New Jersey)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reaching for the Moon (Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 (Awards)) (Hardcover)

One of the greatest joys of this parenthood has been watching my four-year-old daughter come to understand that this is a true story, that men actually traveled to the moon and walked on its surface. Even though the moon landings were something I grew up with, the story grows more powerful with each retelling. It is one of her favorites and one of mine as well.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Kids Book, September 10, 2005

By	M. Davis "book mom" (california) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Reaching for the Moon (Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 (Awards)) (Hardcover)

We Love This Book ! With the space shuttle being on the news so much, my 4 year old daughter became interested in space. We got this book for her and now she wants us to read it every night.