Where Is Area 51?

Where is/are...?

by Paula K. Manzanero, Tim Foley (Illustrations)

You'll find it on a map--but you'll never get anywhere near this top secret military base. What exactly is going on there?

Is Area 51 a top secret military base that lies in the middle of the barren Nevada desert? Or could it actually be a facility for examining aliens and their spaceships? People can't drive anywhere close to it; the US government rarely acknowledges its existence; and until recently, the airspace overhead was restricted! Conspiracy theories abound about what goes on at Area 51, especially since 1947 when strange objects were found in the middle of a field in Roswell, New Mexico. Author Paula K. Manzanero explains why Area 51 was established and reveals the mystery behind those unidentified flying objects in the sky. Check out this book and decide what you believe.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Middle Grade, Science, Geography, Juvenile

112 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2018

Reviews

[Readasaurus Rex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

This is a fun and entertaining read. It sparks your interest of you have been wondering about area 51. Good little book

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

My students love this series and the Who was/is books. I just read this book outloud to my son. It briefly explains why people thing Area 51 is connected to UFOs and space aliens. It spends more time talking about secret projects believed to be carried out there.

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very good book about area 51, we don't know about it, but reading this might teach you about it a little more

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam wanted me to read this because he liked it so much. It was the first Who Was/What Was/Where is book I had actually read cover to cover, and it was a pretty thorough little book! It did a good job of introducing technical vocabulary and of covering a topic that can be spooky and rife with conspiracies in a clear way. I truly learned a lot that I’d never heard about Area 51 before!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before these "Where Is" books came out, this series began with Who Is/Was. I used these in my 4th grade classroom for a biography study, finding them to be much more interesting and readable than most other available biographies for middle schoolers. I no longer teach 4th graders, but was completely caught up in Where Is Area 51? It seems really well researched, and eye-opening ... I learned a lot! I read this as an adult for enjoyment because I do NOT LIKE nonfiction, can't get through it, and this fascinating book kept my attention for all 108 pages! Can't wait to read the next one.

[Eder Mangual · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion I think that this book was very interesting. It gave me a ton of answers to my questions. I recommend this book to every one. Also I know you probably are watching this CIA.

[kayla elledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't believe that there is aliens in area 51 every one knows that is not true

[Noah B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where is Area 51,By Paula K. Manzanero. Area 51 is a high security U.S. Air force base in Nevada. The place with a lot of secrets started in 1947 in New Mexico called Project Mogul. Then in 1954 Lockheed Martin received a contract to build the very first U-2 spy plane. After that happened in 1955, all the land around groom lake in Nevada to be an Air force atomic testing ground.In 1960 Gary Power’s U-2 plane got shot down in Russia, two years later Area 51 became an official air force base.Then in 1968 things took a turn when thousands of sheep were found dead near Skull Valley, Utah and then the U.S said there’s no threat of UFOs anymore.Bob Lazar was working at Area 51 then had claimed to see alien type bodies in a UFO.In 1998 The Air force admitted that area 51 is a real place. The theme of the month is to learn something new and I didn’t really know the purpose of Area 51 is. I give this book a 3 star rating because it wasn’t that interesting because some words i didn’t know some of the words and a lot of it was about business. I recommend this book who likes history and aliens.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is Area 51, a secluded and top-secret area in southern Nevada, really the site where the government keeps secret aliens that they once found? This is a wonderful book for children ages seven to twelve that tells what Area 51 really is. It goes into the Cold War and America’s necessity to keep aircraft research confidential. It describes the Manhattan Project, the Cold War, Communism, the Roswell Connection, the Skunk Project, and even The War of the Worlds broadcast in 1938 by Orson Welles. Fermi’s Paradox, the Black Ops, the Dugway Sheep Incident, and a new Are 52 are also explored. This book describes how Area 51 and the surrounding area came to be famous for extraterrestrials. Everything is well explained in language and with drawings that can be understood and appreciated by children. If the information presented here is, in fact, true, then it is a valuable and well-written resource. However, Area 51 remains top-secret, so who really knows for sure?

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably one of my least favorite books in this series. It was still good, just not as interesting, which is more on me, than the book.

Here's a few interesting tidbits I picked up:

*Area 51 was a black ops site testing machines to beat radar. When they were flying fast a lot of these new machines looked circular, which could've been why people thought they saw alien space ships.

*In 1947 William Brazel found odd machinery near Roswell, the army quickly cleaned it up and said it was a weather balloon. The whole "hush, hush" of the sitch made people suspicious. It may have been a test for a new spy balloon thing that they were developing, which is why they didn't want people to look more closely. It was called "Project Mogul."

*The Fermi Paradox states that if there are other life forms in the universe that are more advanced than us, where are they? Why haven't they come to visit?

*Guards can shoot anyone who approaches Area 51 on foot.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I'm sort of surprised this exists. Seems counterintuitive to make an informational book *for young readers* about what's supposed to be a top-secret facility! Then again, it could all be a distraction from the REAL secrets...??

Off the top of my head, it seems accurate, though, at least as far as what we're "allowed" to know about it. Or have been "informed" is the truth about it. I'll be honest, I don't really go for conspiracy theories primarily because I don't see any purpose in knowing ONCE AND FOR ALL if aliens are really in Area 51 if no others come after them. It's not information that is currently useful to me or benefits me directly in any fashion.

Also, the cover mentions a "Foldout map inside!" I'll have to take its word for it, though, since the perforation stub in the back indicates that whoever read this before me held onto it. Or took it out and lost it. Who knows at this point? Either way, can't attest to its quality since I can only see ~5cm of it.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all associate Area 51 with mysterious happenings similar to the Bermuda Triangle. In this book, Where Is Area 51? by Paula Manzanero, the author tries to de-mystify some of the things claimed to have happened there. She points out that the name comes from quadrants on a map where it is located; there is an Area 52 as well. As such it can be readily found on a map but details of what is within Area 51 are very sketchy and classified as top secret. Much of what she describes is that it is a highly restricted military research and development facility. Many of the reported strange occurrences she said are logically explained and make sense but there are still some that remain mysteries. Well written and mostly believable read that presents lots of history and facts about one of the most secretive places on earth.

[Janete on hiatus due health issues · Rating 4 out of 5]

SYNOPSIS: "You'll find it on a map--but you'll never get anywhere near this top secret military base. What exactly is going on there?

Is Area 51 a top secret military base that lies in the middle of the barren Nevada desert? Or could it actually be a facility for examining aliens and their spaceships? People can't drive anywhere close to it; the US government rarely acknowledges its existence; and until recently, the airspace overhead was restricted! Conspiracy theories abound about what goes on at Area 51, especially since 1947 when strange objects were found in the middle of a field in Roswell, New Mexico. Author Paula K. Manzanero explains why Area 51 was established and reveals the mystery behind those unidentified flying objects in the sky. Check out this book and decide what you believe."

[Carrie Houghton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Who Was/ Where Is books. And Area 51 is a hot topic among kids. The problem with writing a book about Area 51 for children is that it requires a lot of 20th century historical context. The author does a nice job of trying to provide that context, but since young readers don’t have a lot of background knowledge, the book is constantly stopping to explain highly complex topics. Full page panels explain things like: The Manhattan Project, Communism, The Cold War, The Fermi Paradox, and Black Ops. It’s a lot for children to absorb. As much as kids will be drawn to the book, I’m afraid It’s just too big and complex a topic for this format.

[Jeff Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although ostensibly a book for children, "Where is Area 51?" is a deceptively intelligent read: it's a bit longer than you might think, and it covers myriad topics not UFO-related (most interestingly, the Cold War). If you're a history buff, you might not learn anything entirely new, but you might have your memory jogged on some forgotten events (for me it was the U-2 spy-plane incident).

P.S.
And of course if you want to indulge your nostalgia impulse, "Where is Area 51?" will take you back to the UFO hoopla of the X-Files '90s (Gawd I haven't thought about Bob Lazar since college, when the Art Bell show would keep me company during those dead-of-night study sessions).

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book so I could learn about Area 51 and help free the Aliens! It also includes a small foldout map to help come up with a plan of entry! In all seriousness, this was a quick and fun read. There are some interesting facts about how Area 51 was used to test top secret military planes during the Cold War and the conspiracy theories about reverse engineering on possible alien technology that may have led to things like cellphones that are commonplace today. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an abridged history of Area 51.

[David Rough · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally appreciate these historical books written for young readers but I question the need for this one. I understand the interest in this site with all the questions and hype pointed its direction over the years, but without factual insights and historical clarity, this book does not provide answers. When I turned the last page I was as confused as when I open the front cover. Maybe this was the design and goal of the author, but I found it personally disappointing.

[Johnny G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I flew through this book in less than an hour and thought it was great. The author did a nice job telling all about the top-secret government base called Area 51 out in the Nevada desert. Area 51 has fascinated me for years! Personally, I think it's just a place where top scientists and engineers are developing and testing new aircraft for the military - and if they have some crashed UFOs to study there, even better. We should always be aiming to improve air travel and safety for our country!

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where is Area 51 told me a lot.I loved reading this book and I never knew so much.I was interested in Area 51 so I looked and looked but I knew that there was fake information on the websites I was looking on.I recommended this book and the series it comes with.I also like The Who was and what was.

[Dana Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly good, considering the title. The book is actually more about the cold war and the top secret programs that are conducted in the US southwest. There is very little discussion of aliens. It's actually an interesting book, but I dinged it some stars for the overly simplistic and uncritical discussions of the US and Soviet Union in the cold war.

[Kelly Ewing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that there are definitions within the reading. And I like that they have moments within the reading that explain the purpose of what’s happening. (Bombs being made and then connecting it to Japan bombings in WWII.) I liked the illustrations however I wish they were in color to help distinguish between images.

“Could there have been a group of Skunk Works scientists at Motorola?” LOL

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting, true facts about the mysteries surrounding Area 51. From aliens invasion to high-tech testing and development of aircraft, this U.S. controlled land in Nevada is off-limits to most of us.

Includes a Timeline of Area 51, Timeline of the World, Bibliography, and Map.

[Victoria B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relevant topic (before everyone storms it) that addresses the conspiracy and controversy around Area 51, while *kind of* trying to dispel both. Also introduces Area 52, which I didn't know was a thing and now I need to know more.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great high interest topic! Where is Area 51 is an engaging read. The author does a fine job in taking on this huge mysterious subject and attempting to explain and she’d light on it. Great time lines and historical content. You will come away having learned something.

[Yuuki Nakashima · Rating 5 out of 5]

How ignorant I was! I didn’t know what Area 51 was really for. What I knew was that it’s a famous place for UFOs and aliens myths.
And I was surprised that Japan is the first foreign country that the fishy interview in Las Vegas was broadcast in.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book wasn't very interesting. The fact that this is such a secretive place doesn't help matters, there is not much to say. My daughter lost interest early on, my son held out to finish it, but even he lost interest and I'm not sure he was actually paying attention in the end.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tries to tell the story of Area 51 which has been a mystery since it was first mentioned in the news. The best we can tell is that it is used for secret military purposes. Even after reading the book it is still a mystery.

[Gail GB · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandson suggested I read the Who was/is book series because they really interest him. I’ve loved the others, this book not so much. The best part of the book I enjoyed was the timelines, at the end of the book. I really enjoyed looking back at the events, as I was growing up during that time.

[Kim]

Hard to rate this one on the star system. It was very good and gave a lot of good information but I wouldn't really think of it as literature. I learned some things which made it worth my time even as a kids book.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Discusses the cultural impact of UFO conspiracy theories, as well as the realities of Area 51, in a way that does not patronize or insult young readers. The illustrations in this WhoHQ book really grabbed me, and I like the map included.