Rocket Science: A Beginner’s Guide to the Fundamentals of Spaceflight

by Andrew Rader, Galen Frazer (Illustrator)

Sometimes it takes a rocket scientist to offer young readers the most engaging introduction to space travel, the solar system, and the universe.

Earth's gravity keeps our feet on the ground, and also prevents us from soaring into space. So how do we explore that vast frontier? We use rockets! Discover how rockets work--from staging to orbits to power generation, from thermal control to navigation and more. Learn how rockets and other spacecraft travel to and explore the moon, Mars, Jupiter, and beyond. Speculate about the future of space exploration--and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. In a guide ideal for aspiring rocket engineers, planetary scientists, and others who love learning about space exploration, Galen Frazer's distinctive yet accessible illustrations pair perfectly with Andrew Rader's straightforward text, together taking readers to the edge of our knowledge of space travel.

Genres: Science, Childrens, Space, Nonfiction

64 pages, Hardcover

Published November 3, 2020

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are only a few other reviews of this book here and they do a good job of summarizing so I won't reinvent the wheel. Some of the book was beyond my eight-year-old but he was riveted and kept asking me to read more and it has inspired him to design his own blueprints for a spaceship and plot its orbit around the planet it is exploring, so I'm glad we read it and will probably revisit it in a few years.

[Connor Magary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love space. I may working for nasa or SpaceX some day except I get anxious when I look I to the sky :/

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outer Space & How to Get There!

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG: http://bookreadingtic.com/2020/12/30/... THANK YOU!

Although geared for young readers, this volume contains a lot of scientific information about planets, the solar system, gravity and the universe.

This book then goes on to give detailed ways a rocket works. Included are many fine points about staging, orbits, power generation, thermal control, communications, navigation, and guidance.

Questions are answered about what things would be necessary to explore a variety of places such as the moon, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, and even asteroids. What would be the same, and what would be different, to go to each place? What would be needed for exploration?

Possible power sources or alternative methods are considered for deep space travel—even the use of gravity slingshots to increase speed. Also brought up is the question of life on other planets, and space exploration possibilities in the future.

This hard-backed book contains brilliantly colored illustrations of planets and space. A vast amount of information about this intricate subject will be found in this volume—parts of which are complex. Although this book is geared towards grades four through nine, an individual’s grasp of math and science will best determine what age a child needs to be to appreciate this 5-star book. Children with an interest in outer space, along with those academic subjects, will highly enjoy this volume.

Candlewick Publishers, for the purpose of review, has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Rocket Science: A Beginner’s Guide to the Fundamentals of Spaceflight.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those interested in a pared down explanation of space exploration, this is a great resource. From defining gravity and describing our solar system, to the science of rocket propulsion, the book is perfect for a budding space junkie. I like how clear the writing is, while including complicated ideas and terms. The digital illustrations are diagrammatic, and while not works of art, still do a great job of complementing the text, showing trajectory, orbits and cross sections clearly. Words in boldface appear in a glossary at the end of the book, and there is a list of sources for further exploration.

There was no table of contents, index, or list of sources.

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOTE: I am hosting a giveaway on my blog https://chatwithvera.com for 2 copies of this book. Ends Feb. 10. USA/CANADA

It has been my observation that boys are fascinated with boats, cars, planes, rockets or rather, any thing that moves, roars, beeps, bursts, flies, flashes, etc. And some girls are, too, for that matter. When raising my five children, boys and girls, they loved having things (toys, if you please; and books, too) that are based on or involve the sciences.
Rocket Science is one such book that would have delighted them. It is a book appropriate for ages 10 years and up. It all depends on their level of interest, involvement in the sciences, and specifically space sciences and the exploration thereof.

This is not a "flashy" book with cutesy pictures or illustrations nor is it a staid science book or journal. It is geared to pique the interest of the child and budding teen. It gives a fraction of information in an educational manner without the stiffness that text books generally present.

A nice glossary is provided at the back. The illustrations are striking with colors stark against the blackness that is space. Having watched the first man on the moon mission on television, it is revealing to see the evolution of rocketry through the years and the vastness of the universe that has been explored to date.

I highly endorse this book for individuals, classroom libraries, school and public libraries.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review.

[Brenda Kahn]

This was attractive and informative. Well illustrated, but not really book about rocket science.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A misleading title because only part of the book is about rocket science but this is an accessible, introduction to space travel, the solar system, and beyond.

[Percy Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually learned quite a bit