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Countdown : 2979 Days to the Moon (Paperback)
Free verse and illustrations tell the true story of the American effort to land the first man on the Moon.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced that the United States would try to land a man on the Moon within ten years. During the two thousand, nine hundred and seventy-nine days that followed his speech, eighteen astronauts climbed into spaceships; three of them died before even leaving the ground. Eight rockets soared into space. And four hundred thousand people--engineers, technicians, scientists, mathematicians, and machinists--joined Project Apollo in hopes of making the dream a reality.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced that the United States would try to land a man on the Moon within ten years. During the two thousand, nine hundred and seventy-nine days that followed his speech, eighteen astronauts climbed into spaceships; three of them died before even leaving the ground. Eight rockets soared into space. And four hundred thousand people--engineers, technicians, scientists, mathematicians, and machinists--joined Project Apollo in hopes of making the dream a reality.
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2018
1 person is currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Slade
171 books129 followersSibert honoree author of more than 150 books for chlldren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 20, 2019
"For one priceless moment in the whole history of man, all the people on this Earth are truly one: one in their pride in what you have done . . . " Richard M. Nixon, in a phone call to Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong on the Moon, July 20th, 1969.
This is a fascinating book for younger readers that briefly traces the behind-the-scenes work necessary to accomplish the amazing feat of putting a man on the moon. From Kennedy's wish in 1961, to the horrific disaster of Apollo 1, to the moment when Armstrong announces, "The Eagle has landed!" this is a thrilling adventure through time and space.
Each chapter ending features photos and stats on the various astronauts covered in the book, but the real highlight is Thomas Gonzalez's absolutely stunning watercolors that illustrate the book.
Don't miss this one!
This is a fascinating book for younger readers that briefly traces the behind-the-scenes work necessary to accomplish the amazing feat of putting a man on the moon. From Kennedy's wish in 1961, to the horrific disaster of Apollo 1, to the moment when Armstrong announces, "The Eagle has landed!" this is a thrilling adventure through time and space.
Each chapter ending features photos and stats on the various astronauts covered in the book, but the real highlight is Thomas Gonzalez's absolutely stunning watercolors that illustrate the book.
Don't miss this one!
November 2, 2018
This was an extremely well put together book! The text was informative and engaging, almost like an epic poem. I loved the art, too. The book relies on drawn images, which really breathe life into the story it tells. Many of the illustrations are based on NASA photos you've probably seen before, and other are composite or imaginary shots. (I noticed you, picture that is actually a screencap from the movie Apollo 13.) There are some official NASA photographs shown for each mission depicted, which I did appreciate. I was almost dissapointed that the book stops with the Apollo 11 landing. I would have loved to see how the book would have covered Apollo 12 through 17.
August 21, 2018
This is a stunning and thorough look at the Apollo Missions to the moon. The thick book starts with JFK's dream and follows Apollo's 1 through 11 over the 2979 days until Armstrong's famous words. The text is lengthy, but well paced and often suspenseful. The illustrations are gorgeous paintings. And interspersed are real photos, quotes, and stats on the astronauts. If you are, or have a child who is, a fan of outer space then this is a book you must have on your shelf.
*Note I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
*Note I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
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August 28, 2018Very excellent book, not too long, with great illustrations.
November 9, 2018
Review by James, age 9, 11/08/18
This is a book about the Apollo missions. It begins May 25, 1961, when US President John F. Kennedy announces his plans to land a man on the moon.
But the US wasn't alone: the Soviet Union also had plans to put its own man on the moon. And so the great space race began.
The president set an end-of-the-decade deadline for the man to be landed on the moon. But then during a parade the President John F Kennedy was assassinated. But the deadline was still there and the space race still continued. NASA was determined to make their president's dreams come true, even if that president was dead.
NASA had been constructing a massive Saturn V rocket to carry their spacecraft into orbit. Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffe were preparing to enter the spacecraft to practice the mission. But then a radio problem disturbs their work. The static continued for hours and they started to wonder if they'd be able to communicate with NASA when thousands of feet up in space. Then there was a fire in the cockpit, killing all three astronauts
The fire was started by a wire that caused sparks. One of the changes they made after is that every wire is now covered. They also changed the hatch into something that can be opened much faster. And they said they'd never pressurized the cabin with 100% oxygen again.
There were many more missions, and finally on Apollo 10 NASA landed a man on the moon and planted an American flag. It was 1969. With little time remaining Armstrong and Aldrin do one last task, and plant a patch on the moon bearing the names of Apollo 1 Astronauts Grissom, White, and Chaffee.
I liked this book because it told me the history of NASA and the story of landing a man on the moon. I liked the pictures. I would recommend this book for young, adventurous children who crave space.
This is a book about the Apollo missions. It begins May 25, 1961, when US President John F. Kennedy announces his plans to land a man on the moon.
But the US wasn't alone: the Soviet Union also had plans to put its own man on the moon. And so the great space race began.
The president set an end-of-the-decade deadline for the man to be landed on the moon. But then during a parade the President John F Kennedy was assassinated. But the deadline was still there and the space race still continued. NASA was determined to make their president's dreams come true, even if that president was dead.
NASA had been constructing a massive Saturn V rocket to carry their spacecraft into orbit. Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffe were preparing to enter the spacecraft to practice the mission. But then a radio problem disturbs their work. The static continued for hours and they started to wonder if they'd be able to communicate with NASA when thousands of feet up in space. Then there was a fire in the cockpit, killing all three astronauts
The fire was started by a wire that caused sparks. One of the changes they made after is that every wire is now covered. They also changed the hatch into something that can be opened much faster. And they said they'd never pressurized the cabin with 100% oxygen again.
There were many more missions, and finally on Apollo 10 NASA landed a man on the moon and planted an American flag. It was 1969. With little time remaining Armstrong and Aldrin do one last task, and plant a patch on the moon bearing the names of Apollo 1 Astronauts Grissom, White, and Chaffee.
I liked this book because it told me the history of NASA and the story of landing a man on the moon. I liked the pictures. I would recommend this book for young, adventurous children who crave space.
February 21, 2020
What an absolutely beautiful nonfiction tribute to the 2979 days it took the United States to walk on the moon! It's the intoxicating mix of fascinating prose and illustrations of the images that are ingrained in people's brains related to the missions. As the story unfolds mission by mission after the proclamation by JFK before his assassination, there are always transitions where there is biographical information about the men on each mission. And it's all seamless.
I often stopped to pour over the illustrations that sometimes was very lifelike and sometimes truly fantastical but it mixed with the words. Readers can't imagine one without the other. And again, to return to the prose, it felt reverent. Demonstrating the awesome capabilities of all that were involved and specifically each man that decided to put on the suit and TRY.
I often stopped to pour over the illustrations that sometimes was very lifelike and sometimes truly fantastical but it mixed with the words. Readers can't imagine one without the other. And again, to return to the prose, it felt reverent. Demonstrating the awesome capabilities of all that were involved and specifically each man that decided to put on the suit and TRY.
March 6, 2020
Amazing!
March 19, 2021
CRA EUREKA GOLD WINNER 2018 for excellence in nonfiction. Suzanne Slade & Thomas Gonzalez nailed this!!! Loved the reader-friendly, free verse, large print, two page spread approach. Slade’s writing creates suspense at multiple points in the narrative, the kind of suspense that makes you hold your breath as you turn the page. “If the engine doesn’t start, their ship will whip around the Moon and careen toward home. If the engine shuts down early, they could soar into an unplanned orbit. But if the engine runs too long, they’ll crash into the Moon.” OMG!!!
The illustrations are breathtaking as well -- revealing the monumental challenges, the small celebrations, the heartbreak, the excitement and so forth.
Each chapter ends with real photographs of the astronauts and those who contributed to the endeavor--primary sources. Notes at the end attempt to describe how many people were committed to this project - 400,000 and all the different roles people played. Author and illustrators’ notes reveal their own passion for this story and their commitment to bringing it to life.
Classroom suggestions:
• Book talk this with intermediate and middle school students and leave in the classroom library to be snatched up. This might include showing a clip from the recent film First Man.
• Read aloud to 4th-5th grade students—stopping at points that leave them hanging and wanting you to read more later.
• Encourage individual students to pick up for independent reading and response.
• There are several quotes in the book—set to the side in a large font—post one of these quotes and talk about its importance to the big ideas in the book.
• Pose questions for discussion like:
*The author states that 400,000 people contributed to this endeavor. That’s a staggering
number. What did you learn in the book that makes the case for needing this number of people?
*What did you notice happened each time the NASA program faced an obstacle or tragedy? How
would you describe this team? Perseverant? Determined? Reverent?
The illustrations are breathtaking as well -- revealing the monumental challenges, the small celebrations, the heartbreak, the excitement and so forth.
Each chapter ends with real photographs of the astronauts and those who contributed to the endeavor--primary sources. Notes at the end attempt to describe how many people were committed to this project - 400,000 and all the different roles people played. Author and illustrators’ notes reveal their own passion for this story and their commitment to bringing it to life.
Classroom suggestions:
• Book talk this with intermediate and middle school students and leave in the classroom library to be snatched up. This might include showing a clip from the recent film First Man.
• Read aloud to 4th-5th grade students—stopping at points that leave them hanging and wanting you to read more later.
• Encourage individual students to pick up for independent reading and response.
• There are several quotes in the book—set to the side in a large font—post one of these quotes and talk about its importance to the big ideas in the book.
• Pose questions for discussion like:
*The author states that 400,000 people contributed to this endeavor. That’s a staggering
number. What did you learn in the book that makes the case for needing this number of people?
*What did you notice happened each time the NASA program faced an obstacle or tragedy? How
would you describe this team? Perseverant? Determined? Reverent?
July 19, 2018
Countdown
2979 Days to the Moon
by Suzanne Slade, Illus. by Thomas Gonzalez
Space lovers, unite!
Commence Countdown!
I bet you've never seen a countdown quite like this. Author Suzanne Slade takes readers through America's space program as it races to the moon. Her words, paired with Thomas Gonzalez's remarkable illustrations, make the early NASA experience accessible to readers of any age. Accomplishments, failures, wonder, and pride, as well as moments of both joy and grief, are all retold in a narrative, poetic free-verse, serving well to let the story speak for itself.
Whether adding this book to a school or library shelf, considering this title as part of a homeschool science focus, or purchasing this for a science-curious grandchild, Countdown will be a book cherished by all that read it.
As our history continues to expand, as we grow further and further away from that which once was, it is so very vital for all to remember our past, for children to be taught from whence we came. Who knows what the future holds? President Kennedy certainly did not when he spoke those infamous words of challenge and promise to the American people, words that would one day get us to the moon.
Countdown is sure to summon awe in children unfamiliar with NASA's history and bring pangs of remembrance for those older readers who lived through these days. This book connects multiple generations with a string of events that was not only a proud national feat for America but a proud feat for mankind.
2979 Days to the Moon
by Suzanne Slade, Illus. by Thomas Gonzalez
Space lovers, unite!
Commence Countdown!
I bet you've never seen a countdown quite like this. Author Suzanne Slade takes readers through America's space program as it races to the moon. Her words, paired with Thomas Gonzalez's remarkable illustrations, make the early NASA experience accessible to readers of any age. Accomplishments, failures, wonder, and pride, as well as moments of both joy and grief, are all retold in a narrative, poetic free-verse, serving well to let the story speak for itself.
Whether adding this book to a school or library shelf, considering this title as part of a homeschool science focus, or purchasing this for a science-curious grandchild, Countdown will be a book cherished by all that read it.
As our history continues to expand, as we grow further and further away from that which once was, it is so very vital for all to remember our past, for children to be taught from whence we came. Who knows what the future holds? President Kennedy certainly did not when he spoke those infamous words of challenge and promise to the American people, words that would one day get us to the moon.
Countdown is sure to summon awe in children unfamiliar with NASA's history and bring pangs of remembrance for those older readers who lived through these days. This book connects multiple generations with a string of events that was not only a proud national feat for America but a proud feat for mankind.
October 26, 2018
This nonfiction uses free verse and evocative images to convey the history of the Apollo missions to the moon. The book begins with John F. Kennedy’s call to land a man on the moon in ten years. Over the next 2979 days, starting in 1961, over 400,000 people worked to make his vision become reality. The book shares the tragedy of Apollo 1, where three men died on the launchpad due to a fire. It shows the triumphs and set backs of the space program as they tested unmanned rockets. Then Apollo 7, 8, 9 and 10 return to manned flights with their silence, splendor and drama. Until finally, Apollo 11 reaches the moon and man takes their first steps on its surface.
Slade’s free verse is spare and lovely, capturing the essence of each of the dramatic moments in the quest to reach the moon. With the death of the first lunar astronauts, she allows the doubts about the program’s future to hang in the air, so that readers will understand how brave the choice was to continue forward. Throughout, her writing allows readers to feel and experience those moments, to count the minutes on the dark side of the moon, to feel the tension of piloting the lunar module to the surface, to all of the risks, the moments that could have gone differently.
Gonzalez’s illustrations add to that drama, depicting the astronauts themselves, the glory of space and the splendor of rockets and flight. He uses space on the page beautifully, showing scale and size. His glimpses of earth in space are realistic enough that one almost sees them spin in the blackness.
A glorious look at the Apollo missions. This belongs in every library. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
Slade’s free verse is spare and lovely, capturing the essence of each of the dramatic moments in the quest to reach the moon. With the death of the first lunar astronauts, she allows the doubts about the program’s future to hang in the air, so that readers will understand how brave the choice was to continue forward. Throughout, her writing allows readers to feel and experience those moments, to count the minutes on the dark side of the moon, to feel the tension of piloting the lunar module to the surface, to all of the risks, the moments that could have gone differently.
Gonzalez’s illustrations add to that drama, depicting the astronauts themselves, the glory of space and the splendor of rockets and flight. He uses space on the page beautifully, showing scale and size. His glimpses of earth in space are realistic enough that one almost sees them spin in the blackness.
A glorious look at the Apollo missions. This belongs in every library. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
February 18, 2019
This book is about how to go the moon. At first it is only a dream. The dream seems so big, so impossible, that few people dare to say it out loud. Until one day, May 25, 1961, one man, president John F. Kennedy, bravely announces the
Dream to the world: ‘’ I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this Decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.’’ But how can someone soar all the way to the moon, two hundred and forty-thousand miles through space? America knows the answer: teamwork. Thousands of engineers, technicians, mathematicians, scientists, and machinists, working on engines, computers, and airplanes, join project Apollo, a new space program with one objective- land a man on the moon and bring him safely home. But America is not the only country with an outrageous dream. The Soviet Union has it’s own plan to put the very first man on the moon. Determined to win the space race, the Apollo team begins their Herculean task: designing, building, and testing four new crafts- each with it’s own important role- that must work flawlessly together. The Command Module will carry the crew to the moon and back. The Service Module will provide electricity, oxygen, and other supplies.
Dream to the world: ‘’ I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this Decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.’’ But how can someone soar all the way to the moon, two hundred and forty-thousand miles through space? America knows the answer: teamwork. Thousands of engineers, technicians, mathematicians, scientists, and machinists, working on engines, computers, and airplanes, join project Apollo, a new space program with one objective- land a man on the moon and bring him safely home. But America is not the only country with an outrageous dream. The Soviet Union has it’s own plan to put the very first man on the moon. Determined to win the space race, the Apollo team begins their Herculean task: designing, building, and testing four new crafts- each with it’s own important role- that must work flawlessly together. The Command Module will carry the crew to the moon and back. The Service Module will provide electricity, oxygen, and other supplies.
August 8, 2019
On May 25, 1961 President John F. Kennedy wanted to put a man on the moon before the decade was out. Because another country was trying too, this became known as the Space Race. Nearly half a million people worked together over the next 2979 days to make this dream come true. Each Apollo mission is covered including the astronauts on board and the lessons learned from each mission.
Suzanne Slade's poetry tells the story in a beautiful way - a quick read full of emotion. Each mission is followed by photographs of the astronauts, their stats and other pictures of the mission. The poems are brilliantly illustrated by Thomas Gonzales. Includes more information about the contractors and teams involved on the designing and construction of the rockets and spacecraft; an "afterward" (about the return and retrieval of the astronauts); author's and illustrator's notes; sources and a bibliography. A memorable read, appropriate for elementary and middle school.
For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebook.blogspot.com
Suzanne Slade's poetry tells the story in a beautiful way - a quick read full of emotion. Each mission is followed by photographs of the astronauts, their stats and other pictures of the mission. The poems are brilliantly illustrated by Thomas Gonzales. Includes more information about the contractors and teams involved on the designing and construction of the rockets and spacecraft; an "afterward" (about the return and retrieval of the astronauts); author's and illustrator's notes; sources and a bibliography. A memorable read, appropriate for elementary and middle school.
For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebook.blogspot.com
December 9, 2018
In brief poetic text, Suzanne Slade's shows the vision of President John Kennedy's challenge to go to the moon, covering the facts, the dangers, the community effort to complete the missions. She explains that it became even more imperative to finish what was started after the assassination of President Kennedy. After each mission, there are pages that show the basic facts and a picture of each astronaut. I noted that few are still living today. Throughout, real photos are there, along with Thomas Gonzalez' paintings that capture the action, the people, the places that until these space flights, no one had ever seen them before. They are stunning depictions of this marvelous history. It is a book to read, to savor, to then look again, being sure not to miss a thing. The backmatter adds more information, author's and illustrator's notes, a bibliography, source list for quotations and photo credits.
February 26, 2019
Though the book has plenty of amazing details and is chock full of interesting aspects of the endeavor, this book isn’t technical or blatantly informational. Instead, this account of the mission to land men on the moon depicts the human side, the investment of time, effort, and lives; the power of dreams. It’s the story of planning, talent, resilience, and perseverance.
Today children see the focus on Mars and beyond. Travel in our solar system appears almost matter of fact, a given. COUNTDOWN provides a fascinating look at how it all started, the complicated nature of the endeavor, and an emotional connection for the reader.
What a fantastic experience it would be for an adult who witnessed this time in the 1960s to sit and read the book with children, sharing experiences, questions, and thoughts.
Told in free verse, the thoughtful text lets spectacular illustrations fill the page. This is truly a gorgeous book, both in the art and the text!
Today children see the focus on Mars and beyond. Travel in our solar system appears almost matter of fact, a given. COUNTDOWN provides a fascinating look at how it all started, the complicated nature of the endeavor, and an emotional connection for the reader.
What a fantastic experience it would be for an adult who witnessed this time in the 1960s to sit and read the book with children, sharing experiences, questions, and thoughts.
Told in free verse, the thoughtful text lets spectacular illustrations fill the page. This is truly a gorgeous book, both in the art and the text!
August 29, 2019
Fantastic. Phenomenal. I wasn't alive for the moon landing, but this book made me feel like I was experiencing it firsthand as I read it. My heart was pounding at each liftoff, my stomach churned with the deaths of Apollo 1, my face grimaced when Apollo 9's Schweickart vomited; I wanted to cheer with Armstrong's walk, out loud and probably jumping up and down.
The art is superb. I love the "fuzzy", watercolor style of actual photographs. I love the actual photographs. I love the reenactments. This book is beautiful. I love feeling like I was experiencing each mission in real time.
In my book, the lack of page numbers got annoying, because my pages liked to stick together. Also, one group of three photos had a mistake in the descriptions.
But those were vastly overshadowed by my awe of this book.
The art is superb. I love the "fuzzy", watercolor style of actual photographs. I love the actual photographs. I love the reenactments. This book is beautiful. I love feeling like I was experiencing each mission in real time.
In my book, the lack of page numbers got annoying, because my pages liked to stick together. Also, one group of three photos had a mistake in the descriptions.
But those were vastly overshadowed by my awe of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2021
What a beautiful, wonderful book!!! I loved it. Written as a story making you feel like you're there the book follows Project Apollo in the 2979 days that follow President Kennedy's speech of achieving the goal of putting a man on the moon before the decade is over. Beautiful illustrations and some actual photographs add to the story making a picture book sure to thrill any child. It isn't overly detailed but seems to have just the perfect amount. Pertinent information given in an easy to read and understand form. The writing brings in the drama of what those men might have been feeling as they performed their jobs high above the Earth. The tensions from the people on Earth responsible and hoping for their safety was brought to the page. It's a story that makes you feel....really feel....so well written.
January 25, 2019
This book is about the years and major events leading up to the Apollo 11 mission and moon landing, combining somewhat simple but very well-written descriptions of them in a poetic but non-rhyming format with beautifully drawn images of the events featured in the book. The book also features short biographies of those involved with every Apollo mission leading up to and including Apollo 11. The highlight of the book, in my opinion, is the combination of the beautiful artwork with the simultaneously poem-like yet interesting and factual writing. I give the book a 4 out of 5 stars.
Review by Joshua B, age 15, Greater Los Angeles Area Mensa
Review by Joshua B, age 15, Greater Los Angeles Area Mensa
April 21, 2019
During John F. Kennedy's presidency, he made the daring statement that the United States would reach beyond their current capabilities and send a man to the moon in the next ten years. The next 2,979 days held many leaps and bounds and many setbacks as well. It was a lot of work to get a man to the moon successfully and who knew if that man would even be able to make it back.
This book was informational and inspirational. We are taken on a ten year journey of discovery and determination and we learn so much along the way. I loved the information that this book provided and I would definitely include it in my classroom.
Age Appropriateness: 3rd-8th grade
This book was informational and inspirational. We are taken on a ten year journey of discovery and determination and we learn so much along the way. I loved the information that this book provided and I would definitely include it in my classroom.
Age Appropriateness: 3rd-8th grade
November 4, 2018
Countdown is well researched and tells the familiar story (to us old-timers) in a fresh and exciting way. Especially nice the it is a woman scientist at the helm. I just hope that this resonates with the youngsters who will find it somewhere--perhaps at the library or school.
One small nitpick I will make. I was a little surprised that she used the term blast-off. All those many years ago when I was a guest at NASA, hearing from engineers, they informed us that astronauts did not like the sound of it and preferred lift-off.
Thanks for this great addition to our national space story.
One small nitpick I will make. I was a little surprised that she used the term blast-off. All those many years ago when I was a guest at NASA, hearing from engineers, they informed us that astronauts did not like the sound of it and preferred lift-off.
Thanks for this great addition to our national space story.
December 15, 2018
Suzanne Slade and Thomas Gonzalez have created a beautifully done non-fiction book about Project Apollo and all the people who made the moon landing possible. Lush illustrations combine with informative free verse in a book for children age 10 - 14. It is written on a 6th grade reading level but don't let the free verse dissuade you from trying it. It actually flows smoothly and is as easy or easier to read than dense prose. Back matter includes photos, a selected bibliography, and website list
March 15, 2021
An illustrated book in verse that tells about the missions that lead to the US landing on the moon. It is very detailed and informative while still being easy to read. The illustrations are stunning. I also loved that each chapter has some informational pages that include pictures and background information about the astronauts. A great book that I think will especially hook my readers who don’t like “pretend” stories. Grades 4 and up will enjoy this book- many adults would love it to! My Grandpa loved talking Apollo- he would have really enjoyed this.
August 1, 2018
Just the right amount of free verse combines with stunning illustrations to impart the facts AND the emotions of the US's journey to land a person on the moon. The interweaving of actual words of those involved helps humanize the story that involved hundreds of thousands of people. The illustrations add the beauty and awe needed to tell a story of space. What a great way to learn about a subject. I'll be looking for more by the author and illustrator.
January 8, 2019
This book is interesting and a bit difficult to peg. It’s in the juvenile section, but the art is very sophisticated. The narrative feels like free verse but the info is presented clearly. My 7yo could not heat it all in one sitting. He glanced at the art but made a more careful study of the photographs at the end of each chapter. We both learned a lot. I really enjoyed the simplicity and straightforward feeling of the book, even when dealing with the difficult subject of Apollo 1.
July 10, 2019
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy committed to landing a man on the moon and safely returning him to earth within a decade. Beautifully-composed verse, dramatic paintings, informational double-page spreads, and extensive back matter tell the Project Apollo 11 story that became a reality 2979 days later (on July 20, 1969) when the Eagle landed on the Moon’s surface and astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to step onto the Moon.
February 8, 2020
I really liked the format and layout of this non-fiction for young reader's to learn about the missions to the moon. However, if the author mentioned the worried wives watching from home one more time I was going to bash my head against a wall. Something so small in text felt so derogatory to women in the grand scheme of such a significant impact on the world. If a child was reading this, what role would they see for women, UGH!
February 15, 2023
'Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon' by Suzanne Slade with illustrations by Thomas Gonzalez is the story of the Apollo missions leading to landing on the moon.
Told with beautiful illustrations and a free form poetry style. The result is beautiful and moving. After each mission, photos and short biographies of each astronaut crew are given.
This was a really nice read and I liked the art and free form verse very much.
Told with beautiful illustrations and a free form poetry style. The result is beautiful and moving. After each mission, photos and short biographies of each astronaut crew are given.
This was a really nice read and I liked the art and free form verse very much.
March 2, 2019
From Kennedy's dream of a man on the moon, through all of the Apollo missions, this is a history of space travel that is accessible because of the free verse text and realistic painted illustrations. I love having all of the Apollos together in one book, and the way the tragedy of Apollo 1 is remembered and honored by the Apollo 11 astronauts. This is an "everyone" book -- I learned lots.
May 9, 2020
AR level: 6.4
Lexile: 940L
Starting with FDR's announcement that America was going to land a man on the moon, the poems tell of the entire journey that it took to get there. Beautiful illustrations and actual quotes bring the piece to completion and raise the poems to an even higher level.
Traits: Presentation
Lexile: 940L
Starting with FDR's announcement that America was going to land a man on the moon, the poems tell of the entire journey that it took to get there. Beautiful illustrations and actual quotes bring the piece to completion and raise the poems to an even higher level.
Traits: Presentation
June 19, 2021
Even though I knew all this information, it was delightful to see it not in histogrammical or statistics format. The pictures, and the clear writing, made me make a song out of it in my head. It was great to uncover some of the unsung heroes and the physiological details of the Apollo Program. Great book that lists every important mission in Apollo, from the fire in the cockpit, to Apollo 17.
September 3, 2018
This book does a great job of giving the feel of living through that period in history and of watching with heightened anticipation with each success and failure. Anyone interested in space exploration should give this book a look.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews