Destination: Moon: A Nonfiction Picture Book About NASA, the Space Race, and the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon Landing for Children

by Seymour Simon

An out-of-this-world exploration of the 1969 Moon landing from children’s science expert Seymour Simon!  This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 6 to 8. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children. In July of 1969, NASA sent the Apollo 11 spacecraft to the Moon. Inside were three people: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. They went into lunar orbit a few days later. More than a hundred hours after launch, the word came back: “The Eagle has landed!” In this exciting account of the famous 1969 Moon landing, award-winning science writer Seymour Simon tells the story of the Space Race between the US and the Soviet Union; recalls how families across the world sat captivated in front of their TVs to witness humankind’s first steps beyond Earth; and explains much of the science and technology that got our astronauts to the Moon on that remarkable day. Perfect for young scholars’ school reports, Destination: Moon features clear text, vibrantly colored pages, engaging sidebars, and stunning full-color photographs. This book includes an author's note, a glossary, a timeline, and an index and supports the Common Core State Standards.

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

56 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2019

About the author

Seymour Simon, whom the NY Times called "the dean of [children's science:] writers," is the author of more than 250 highly acclaimed science books (many of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association).

Seymour Simon uses his website, SeymourSimon.com, to provide free downloads of a wealth of materials for educators, homeschoolers and parents to use with his books, including 4-page Teacher Guides for all 26 of his Collins/Smithsonian photo essay books. The site provides multiple resources for kids writing book reports or wanting to explore the online Science Dictionary, and also features the Seymour Science blog highlighting current science news. Educators and families are encouraged to sign up to receive the monthly newsletter from SeymourSimon.com to stay abreast of the latest materials that Seymour Simon is introducing to enrich the reading experience.

He taught science and creative writing in elementary and secondary schools and was chair of the science department at a junior high school in the New York City public school system before leaving to become a full-time writer. "I haven't really given up teaching," he says, "and I suppose I never will, not as long as I keep writing and talking to kids around the country and the world."

Seymour Simon is also a creator and the author of a series of 3D books and a series of Glow-in-the-Dark Books for Scholastic Book Clubs, a series of leveled SEEMORE READERS for Chronicle Books, and the EINSTEIN ANDERSON, SCIENCE DETECTIVE series of fiction books. His books encourage children to enjoy the world around them through learning and discovery, and by making science fun. He has introduced tens of millions of children to a staggering array of subjects; one prominent science education specialist described Simon's books as "extraordinary examples of expository prose."

Seymour Simon has been honored with many awards for his work, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children's science literature; the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature; the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library for his contribution to children's science literature; The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Non-fiction; the Jeremiah Ludington Award for his outstanding contribution to children's nonfiction; the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Forum on Children's Science Books.

In a recent interview Simon was asked if he ever thinks of retiring. "I seem to be working faster and harder than ever. I absolutely don't feel any urge to sit back and look at what I've done. The only things that I'm thinking about are things I'd like to do in the future. I'm planning and doing and continuing to write. It's what I love to do. I remember a story about an anthropologist going to talk to a tribe and he asked them what was their word for "work." Their response was they have no word for work. Everybody does the things that they do in their life. I love that response. I don't differentiate between work and play. Everything I do is something that I enjoy doing - the writing, the research and everything else."

Seymour Simon writes and photographs nature from his hilltop home in Columbia County in upstate New York, where he lives with his wife Liz Nealon.

You can follow Seymour on Facebook and on Twitter, as well as on his website, which offers free, downloadable Teacher Guides to his books for educators, parents and homeschoolers, as well as the popular Seymour Science Daily Blo

Reviews

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my last read of the week and I must say, it captivated me. My husband and I have been watching documentaries about space exploration and we've recently even watched two fictional series about missions to Mars. So my mind has been spinning with many details, already. Yet this nonfiction juvenile book gave me even more information than I'd previously learned. For example, I had no idea that Sputnik was only the size of a beach ball(!!!). And who knew Aldrin was the first to urinate on the moon? Also, after Armstrong and Aldrin rejoined Collins after their moonwalk, they took off their helmets and noticed a strange smell -- it was moon dust that clung to their boots. This book is 56 pages of dates, names, facts, and even unusual information about the steps and stages leading up to "destination moon" (including the actual landing and a brief look into the future). Additionally, there are 51 original photos and illustrations spread throughout the book that match the textual information. The back matter includes a glossary, books and websites for further reading, a Race to Space timeline, and an Index. Make sure your science-loving learners have access to this new nonfiction book!

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This account of the July 1969 lunar landing, for young readers ages six through ten, tells the story of the Space Race, offers insights into mankind’s fascination of the moon, and explains the technology that took astronauts to the surface of the moon.

Photographs and diagrams illustrate the informative text; a glossary and timeline are included. At the author’s website, teachers can download a four-page guide for use in the classroom. Older readers will find much to appreciate here; younger readers will require adult guidance.

Highly recommended.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon relates the story of the Space Race from 1957 to 1969, the landing on the moon by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. The straightforward history is enhanced by sidebars and detours of information about the moon itself; satellites launched into space; and animals launched into space. Illustrated with many period photographs and a few drawings for clarification purposes. The book concludes with a glossary, a short bibliography, a timeline (which includes some details not in the main text), and an index.

[Megan Rosenkranz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Seymour Simon talks about getting to the moon. Perfect for my 7th grade students with the ethics in space exploration unit I am planning and the perfect informational text. There is plenty of detail about space history to get them excited about where it is going.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was too difficult for a kindergartener. It had a lot of interesting information about the Apollo program, but it would be best to save it for older children.

[Ebjourney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information and great pictures.

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear view of the moon.

Brief and concise tale of space exploration that culminates in the moon landing. Has plenty of knowledge about the moon. The description of the challenges was well done. The deaths were glossed over for younger readers.