Go for the Moon: A Rocket, a Boy, and the First Moon Landing

by Chris Gall

Written and illustrated by Chris Gall, Go for the Moon! captures the fascinating detail and inspiring adventure of the moon landing. It is a captivating celebration of one of humankind's greatest technical achievements and most extraordinary feats of exploration.

The Apollo 11 astronauts have prepared carefully for their attempt to be the first men to land on the moon. The young narrator of this book has prepared carefully, he explains the design of the spacecraft, the flight from the earth to the moon, and the drama of touching down--while shadowing the astronaut's voyage with one of his own.

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Space, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Historical

48 pages, Hardcover

Published June 11, 2019

About the author

Chris Gall has been drawing pictures for as long as he can remember. When he was caught doodling on his desk in second grade, his teacher suggested that he might become an artist some day, then made him clean all the desks in the classroom. In seventh grade, Chris won a Read Magazine Young Writers Award, and that inspired him to create stories to go with his art. After graduating from the University of Arizona, Chris became an award-winning, internationally recognized illustrator, and his artwork has been shown in almost every publication in America, including Time, Newsweek, People, Fortune, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.

In 2004, his first picture book, America the Beautiful, became a Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of the Year, and his career in children’s publishing began. Since then he has authored and/or illustrated 16 more books, including the acclaimed Dinotrux, a 2009 Publishers Weekly Best Children’s book; Revenge of the Dinotrux; Awesome Dawson; Substitute Creacher; Dog Vs. Cat and The Littlest Train. For grownups, he also illustrated and designed the PDT Cocktail Book, the 2012 Best New Cocktail Book, awarded by Tales of the Cocktail.

Chris has also worked as an adjunct professor of art at the University of Arizona and spent four years as a professional stand-up comedian. He currently lives in Tucson, Arizona, where in his spare time he works as a volunteer for the Southern Arizona Rescue Association (Pima County Search and Rescue).

In August of 2015, after 5 years of development, Dreamworks Animation brought Dinotrux to Netflix as an animated television show for children.

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations. My son loved looking at all the parts of the rocket and now wants to build his own model rocket this summer.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go For the Moon: A Rocket, A Boy, and the First Moon Landing by Chris Gall. NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK. Roaring Brook (Macmillan), 2019. $20. 9781250155795

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

A young boy follows the journey of the Apollo 11 astronauts on their trip to the Moon.

Gall’s illustrations are so gorgeous! He hasn’t written very many picture books and that is a total shame! This one interweaves the true story of Apollo 11 with the fictional story of the boy and includes a treasure trove of facts about rocketry and the mission. Space-minded kids will love it!

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't imagine a more appealing way to interest kids in space science, unless it is this book.It's an oversized, heavyweight, photo-realistic story of a space-enthralled little boy whose life mirrors the first moon launch and landing.
With white-framed, double-spread illustrations readers open to a rear view of a young boy staring out his bedroom window. His walls, shelves, and toys all reveal a childlike but obsessive interest in space. Text is white on the night-darkened scene, emphasizing the full moon glow and the substance of the text:

"In the morning, three brave men will climb inside a giant rocket, blast off into space, and fly to the moon. ... The astronauts are ready for the mission and so am I."

From that page forward this lad duplicates each stage of the process, from his Tang breakfast, to launching his self-built rocket, to suiting up for the moon landing, to entering his cardboard landing capsule. Soon he and family are pictured stretched out in front of their black-and-white, grainy, scratchy console television.
What a night that was. That little boy was the author/illustrator, Gall, and he details his own engagement with rockets and space in the back matter.
That genuinely portrayed first person insight to the magnificent adventures of those days is matched by this book's ability to make superlatives kid-friendly. Gall describes the skillful expertise demanded of the rocket-crane operators. (It has to do with raw eggs, but I won't spoil your reading with further details.) He compares massive weights and heights to stacks of elephants, the Statue of Liberty, and other familiar touchpoints. Inserting science content and accurate descriptions provides informative facts to kids and to the adults who share this with them.
There is much about Gall's illustrations that remind me of Chris Van Alsburg (JUMANJI, POLAR EXPRESS, and many others). There is much in these two new picture books, one tiny and clever the other massive and moving, to spark curiosity and challenge in young readers' minds.
10 -9 - 8 - Let the summer explorations begin!

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The refreshing blend of Chris Gall's childhood experiences building model airplanes, a cardboard lunar module to reenact his own first trip to the moon, and even preparing his body for an imaginary trip to the moon through practicing jumping, explained as "thrust" into the air, brings the 50 year anniversary of the first moon landing to life. The description of the sections of the spacecraft, and how they work together to launch Saturn V into space, is described clearly with meticulous detail. Learning from his author's note that Gall really did make his own rockets to propel into space, an airplane that he built himself, and even earned a pilot's license and flew, makes it easy to understand why "Go For The Moon" is such an exciting, passionate narrative non-fiction book to discover. Using scientific vocabulary, and real world comparisons such as the fact that astronauts use sextants to navigate their path, just as sailors long ago used them to guide their ships. The "Fun Facts," glossary, bibliography, and web sites, will propel readers towards excellent further research. Chris Gall encourages higher thinking skills, through explaining complex challenging topics with clear, easy to understand language. Lastly, I'm a huge fan of Chris Gall as an exquiste illustrator, his doublespread ultra realistic paintings are breathtaking, and placing "photos" of a young Chris preparing for his moon flight are most effective." His other titles, especially the Dinotrux books, fly out of the library. Yet, this title will entice future students towards the field of space, AND designing the equipment to get there. Highly recommended for all elementary libraries.

[Caitlyn Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very informative and provided many educational resources for readers! This informational picture book described how rockets are made, how rockets get to space, and Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon. While explaining facts about rockets and this journey, the main character is also making his own rocket at home and pretending to be an astronaut just as the ones he has seen on TV. There are many diagrams and infographics explaining the different materials of a rocket and the steps to go into space. There is also a glossary in the back of the book with vocabulary words and definitions along with some other fun facts about space and rockets. Interestingly, the author of the book based the story on his own childhood experience as he was creating rockets while watching Neil Armstrong's steps on the moon. The book also has an author note that explains more about the author and his experiences with rocket building. This would be a great book to use for a space unit! You could incorporate science and language arts into this book. I would probably read this book in parts as it is a little lengthy for young children. However, students could work in small groups to attempt to make their own rockets out of different recycled materials. Students can use the ideas in the book to help them create and design their rocket and we can even launch them on the playground. To incorporate language arts, students could write a set of instructions explaining how they made their rocket ships and what evidence from the book they used to make them. This is a great book for young learners as it incorporates space, American history, and new vocabulary all in one!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drawing on his own lifelong fascination with astronomy and space travel, author/illustrator Chris Gall takes readers back in time to July 20, 1969 when humans first set foot on the Moon. The full-page illustrations and text capture all the anticipation for the launch of the Apollo 11 spacecraft and its journey to the moon. While the three astronauts are going about their work and the lunar module, the Eagle, lands on the lunar surface, one boy, presumably the author, and his brother, plan their own journey into space, launching a small model rocket, and then mimicking the astronauts' actions. It's clear that this is a passionate interest for the boy, and his family supports his interest completely. It's also quite evident that writing and drawing this book was a labor of love for Gall and his tribute to the wonders of space exploration. Back matter includes information about rockets and a glossary of terms. This book just might spur a renewed interest in space exploration on the part of some readers as well as maybe, just maybe, inspiring some youngster to dream even further than the bounds of space travel that have been explored at this point.

[Sheri Levasseur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot wait to share this with my rocket/space loving readers! Two stories side-by-side taking place as NASA engineers, ground control and astronauts prepare for the first launch to the moon, as the storyteller, a young rocket enthusiast, role plays with his own rocket, space and creativity. Readers are brought along on the first rocket launch to space, land on the moon, and journey home. “So this is how that worked” is what went through my own mind as I read it.

Illustrated like a graphic-novel, the book takes realistically and artistically captures the retro-feel of the 1960s. This is the first books I’ve encountered that makes “rocket science” accessible to and fun for all ages. A must-have for elementary nonfiction 629s. Readable nonfiction and storytelling at its best. Pair with other space travel books or even scientific inventions. I like this paired with “What Miss Mitchell Saw” by Hayley Barrett as both books demonstrate how timeless sextants are and how they’ve been used for ocean AND outer space navigation. I would say a great pick for all elementary age students.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to share with kids around the anniversary of the first Moon walk. It gives a great overview of the entire process from preparations to launch to landing. That isn't really what makes this book special though. There are a alot of books about the moon landing and space travel and astronauts. What makes this book special is the childlike lens through which it is seen. The little boy who is observing the moon landing at home, has a parallel journey of his own. Part model-rocket exploration and part imaginary play, this book captures the way kids build understanding about the world around them. It also captures the way events like the First Moon Landing inspired an entire generation of children to believe in the impossible and reach for the stars and new scientific developments.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute and made my six-year-old want to go to the moon.
It's two stories happening simultaneously...the Apollo 11 astronauts are moonbound while at the same time a little boy is watching their progress intently and constructing his own backyard rocket. The structure makes reading it aloud a little hard but it is fairly easy to differentiate the two narratives and period detail makes it clear that this boy is living in their time. Full of great moon landing trivia and really good illustrations, this is a great choice for a creative moon lover eager to follow in the footsteps of the first astronauts on the moon.

[Avery Voss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: This book is about going to the moon as well as the history of going to the moon. A boy is excited about this and tells how he feels about going to the moon and the rocket. It talks about the size of everything and how everything works together in order to go to the moon.
Reaction: I liked the book but it wasn't my favorite nonfiction picture book. I think it is a cute story and has really detailed illustrations which I really like.
Use it in the classroom: I think this is good for kids who are interested in space and rockets and will encourage them to read this book. I think I can use it to also help them learn about space and rockets as well.

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

To the Moon!!

I picked up this book because I love space and wanted to see how this author handled that very topic. This is a book not to be missed. If your young person loves space, then this book will be great. There’s a lot of detail, but it’s also got the point of view of the young man at home. It’s how it was to watch the moon landing, facts about the space program, but also how the little boy felt while this all happened. It’s told in a very easy manner, but will entertain older children more because of the detail.

If you want to read a book about space with your young person, or just want a great space book for yourself, then this is the book for you. Check it out!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would have been good to have 3 days ago for the 50th annivesary. It was still a great reminder that even though the moon landing was before my time, it was a huge event and an amazing scientific feat.

A few of the interesting facts:

"An iPhones has more computing power than all the computers NASA used during the Apollo program".

"The walls of the lunar module was slightly thicker than aluminum foil...Astronauts had to take great care not to puncture the walls."

"The company that made space suits for the astronauts had only made women's underwear before the space program."

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously a labor of love for Gall; loved the parallelism of the young Chris achieving his rocketry goals in the midst of the original moon landing. This is one of the best books I've read explaining the process, and I remember studying much of it in school in anticipation of the landing. I even babysat for some kids while their parents went to a "moon party" that July Sunday in 1969. I've had the pleasure of meeting Gall; this book is a great achievement for him, with a melding of great illustrations and well-crafted text.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about a boy building his own ticket the same time the Apollo 11 is set to up off. Very detailed and science specific which drags the read aloud ability down but boys in my class constantly borrowed this book to read individually. I learned how TVs were in B&W and the picture was snowy? I think it should have pointed out that was because the broadcast was difficult from the moon. I got to watch The Avengers and Star Trek in color on my TV and the colors were really bright!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent informational book about the US moon rockets with well explained technical information. The nonfiction material is woven into a story about a young boy and rocket enthusiast watching the reports of the Apollo 11 mission.

Clearly written information and spectacular page-filling illustrations.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool way to learn about the science and the mechanics of getting to the moon. Story of a little boy, interspersed with diagrams and information. Chris Gall says in the back that he made all the models and everything, just like the kid in the book, in rural IL. As a librarian in rural IL, I would really like to know where he grew up!

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very technical picture book about spaceship parts and the science of launching into (and returning from) space, revolving particularly around the first successful mission to the moon. Kids who love reading about gadgets and machine parts will be very excited by this book.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juxtaposing fascinating details about space flight with the author's own childhood memories of the observing the first moon landing, this is an approachable and engaging introduction to lunar exploration.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an enjoyable book that tells the story of a boy's love of space during the time of the first landing on the moon. The book is dense with information. Maybe a little too technical for the target audience.

[Emily Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was really fun because it teaches students not just how to build a rocket ship and the parts that go into it, but it teaches how man first landed on the moon. Plus I like that it connects to childhood play since I know some my kindergarteners last year loved building rocket ships out of blocks. I think this book would be good for maybe a science lab for fourth or fifth grade engineering.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tells the story of the first moon landing in parallel with the story of a boy designing and launching his own rocket and tracking ever step towards the moon landing.

Pretty information-dense book (with information-light back matter).

[Breezi McClenahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was a fun and informative book that was both informative and engaging. I think that children will enjoy this book a lot due to the fun art style and cute story.

Lexile: 840L
ATOS: 5.1

Six & One trait: Organization

[Maria Caplin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lot of text. Great information about spaceships NF text features. Two stories woven into one.

[Kelly]

This was a really well done book. I liked the parallel stories with the different font for the little boy versus the real Apollo 11 trip. Lots of good information and fun facts at the end.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice primer for those who want to learn more about the Apollo 11 mission and about the tale behind putting the first men on the moon.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This semi-autobiographical work based on Gall's childhood fascination with the moon landing offers a uniquely personal young boy's perspective on the momentous Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969.

[Erica Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parallel stories of the Saturn V and a little boys model building and pretend play make this book both appealing and tailor-able to both my 2 year old or my 9 year old.

[Amanda Geske · Rating 5 out of 5]

“At home, the countdown has started, too.”

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children intrigued by the moon and NASA will love this book.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parallel story of a boy launching a rocket and the moon landing.

Lots of information through the text on parts of the rocket, etc.