Neil Armstrong: Young Flyer

by Montrew Dunham, Montrew Dunham

Neil Armstrong didn’t grow up wanting to be an astronaut—because there were no astronauts in 1930. But he did love to fly from an early age, and after serving in the Korean War and then finishing college, he joined the organization that would eventually become NASA.

As the first man to walk on the moon in 1969, his comment, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” was heard by millions, and Neil Armstrong’s influence on the world didn’t stop there.

From his early years in Ohio to his NASA career, to his later service as an aerospace professor and on Congressional panels, Neil Armstrong’s life is a legacy to be admired, and this narrative biography illuminates his childhood.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, American History, Literature, Childrens, Biography Memoir

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit lackluster for me but my seven-year-old son loved it so mission accomplished. The Childhood of Famous Americans Series is written by a variety of authors so the quality varies, IMO. I didn't feel that history really came alive here (more telling than showing) and I didn't feel we got a good sense of Armstrong's personality or what made him outstanding (lots of kids like airplanes and are early readers or good at math or Scouts). Perhaps part of the point is making him seem relatable to children so they feel inspired to reach similar heights, but the adult in me was left wanting more details. I think his courage and dedication came through and some of the points were particularly engaging for my son (young Neil got his pilot's license before his driver's license!) The "childhood" bit is somewhat misleading as only about half the book deals with his childhood before he moves on to college and his career -- most readers are probably interested about his time in NASA and the Moon Landing so I didn't mind the focus there, but just be aware that it does span beyond childhood.

[Jeff Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I guess the point of the book was to focus on Neil Armstrong’s childhood, but boy, it took 118 pages (out of the total 187) just to get Neil’s first flight lessons. Of course, four of those first 118 pages talked about the abdication of King Edward of England (Huh? Did that really impact Armstrong’s development as a person or a pilot that much?) In comparison, Armstrong’s scary experience with the LLRV (the flying bedstead) only took about one page. That experience could have, and should have, been covered in greater detail. Overall, the book was very factual about Armstrong’s later life-accurately quoting or paraphrasing from Armstrong or the mission transcript. Still, one wonders about the accuracy of what really happened on the scouting adventures mentioned early in the book. It seems like they did a lot for a 24 hour camping trip. It is a good read, and for younger readers-the book’s intended audience-I would recommend it. But for anyone older than about 8, I would go with something else. Thanks for reading!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a terrific children's biography about Neil Armstrong. I enjoyed that it emphasized his childhood and his early passions for model planes as well as scouting. It also showed that he worked very hard at an early age to work towards his goals. It might be a tad long for kids, but worth the effort.

[Jude Schifferer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neil Armstrong is cool because he was the first man to land on the moon. He practiced flying when he was a kid. He got a letter from NASA that said he did not have to pay for college. He was so excited and screamed when he got the letter. The scream startled his mom so much that she dropped the blackberry jam she was making on her tow and broke it.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this before giving it as a gift to be read by my son to his son. Visited the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakeneta, Ohio and purchased it there.

Good chapter book for young readers telling about his early interest in flying. Good work ethic, good goals.

[QSTCMomma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really excellent biography for 7-10 year olds. It showed that Neil Armstrong was naturally gifted and intelligent; however he achieved his goals due to his perseverance and strong work ethic.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good it said lots of facts about Neil Armstrong’s childhood that I did not know. It is great for learning about him it goes from his childhood to his moon landing!!!

[GheenGirls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtle: great! Return to library.

[Josh de Graffenried · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of Armstrong’s life on a kid’s level and with an emphasis on his childhood. My 7 year old enjoyed it!

[Acton]

This book told the whole story of what happened in Neil Armstrong's life up until he went to the moon. Armstrong did a lot of things that he needed courage to do, like going to the moon when no one else had gone before. The book gave us information about things we never would have thought had happened to Neil Armstrong, like how he went into space more than once. Things were always happening in the book, so it was never boring. We would definitely recommend it to other people.

[Tiegen D · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book for a non-fiction book. I liked how it wasn't all facts it told the story of his life. It wasn't just about going to the moon. I learned that the U.S reached the moon in 1969. I was really surprised by how advanced the technology was for almost 50 years ago. I also learned that Neil Armstrong was a pilot before he became an astronaut. It was also cool that he got to fly in a Ford Tri-Motor plane when he was young which gave him more dreams about wanting to be a pilot.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked learning about Neil Armstrong. He loved planes and loved to make model airplanes. Once he had a dream of floating in the air. He tried it once with nothing in his hands. It didn't work. This was very interesting because he would later become an astronaut and float in the moon's atmosphere.

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It tells the story of one of the greatest men on earth, Neil Armstrong. We learn all about his childhood, and it even goes into his adult years and the visit to the moon! One thing I do think the publishers should do is put a more obvious message that this book is partly fiction, not completely true.

[1 Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a good book but I feel it didn't go into enough detail on Neil Armstrong's life and what some more highlighted events were.

[Wendi Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked finding out how much of a hard worker Armstrong was as a kid and how much he was involved in Boy Scouts.

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Borrowed. I wonder what it would be like to go to the moon.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it was okay but not something to right home about

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, Full of good facts. Also exiting.

[Jaeger Matthias · Rating 5 out of 5]

neil armstrong was the first one on the moon good by

[Mr. Coomey teacher]

it is cool that he landed on the moon and that he likes planes

[Sheila Samuelson]

Read in 2000