Take a Giant Leap, Neil Armstrong!

by Peter Roop, Connie Roop

Key Features Description Neil Armstrong was an amazing boy even before he grew up to make history walking on the moon. This book tells some of the events in Neil's early life that fed his love of flying. Neil Armstrong was an amazing boy even before he grew up to make history walking on the moon. This book tells some of the events in Neil's early life that fed his love of flying. Standards RI.3.3. Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect. RI.3.3. Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect. Product Details Item #: NTS967626 9780439676267 Paperback Book 64 Biography and Autobiography 3 - 4 Lexile® 720L Guided Reading GR Level P DRA 34 - 38 ACR 4.7 Key Features Item #: NTS967626 9780439676267 Paperback Book 64 Biography and Autobiography 3 - 4 Lexile® 720L Guided Reading GR Level P DRA 34 - 38 ACR 4.7

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Space, Childrens

60 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Peter Roop is an award-winning author and educator who has written over one hundred children’s books including biographies, novels, humor, picture books, and science books. Seven of his books are Reading Rainbow books, including the Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie. In 2013, the Wisconsin Library Association recognized Peter and his wife, Connie Roop, as Notable Wisconsin Authors for their body of work, and Peter has been named a Wisconsin State Teacher of the Year. The Roops live in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a young biography that perfectly fits its intended audience. I enjoyed reading about Neil Armstrong's early life. Naomi gives it four stars because she is an admirer of Neil Armstrong.


Take a Giant Leap, Neil Armstrong! gives insight into his early life and the situations that led Neil Armstrong to his desire to fly and eventually travel to the moon. From designing model airplanes, taking his first plane ride with his father, to all his part-time jobs, his fascination with his telescope, to seeing his friend die in a plane crash, his military service and on to NASA - Neil Armstrong truly fulfilled his heart's desire. This is an inspiring biography for young people, because it shows just where hard work and determination can lead one.

[Kristin King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written with just enough adventure in young Armstrong's life to keep my young son engaged. Also a great chapter book with extra line spacing for the reader just beginning to take on longer books. Ten chapters that we usually read taking turns with the pages and thus doing 2 chapter a day. The last couple chapters had more challenging words (e.g. engineering). Also, this is one of the first books that separated words into two lines--which my son took issue with, though he did fine with a little help.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as a biography written for younger readers in mind, this isn't bad. It's not SPECTACULAR, though—the writing has a very "collection of facts" style to it, even considering that the lives of actual people don't really have a "narrative" like fiction does. In particular, I found it a little jarring how it would talk about Armstrong's life as a young boy surrounded by extended family—in particular his grandfather who wanted him to take up farming—then randomly mention that Armstrong would go on to have a dairy farm after retiring as an astronaut.

Maybe that was the best place to put that fact! I don't know. I personally feel like chronological order is better, but that would kind of bury the lede, with regards to the importance of farming in his family life. On the other hand, it could be a callback to refer back to his grandfather's dream when mentioned later.

Recommended for young readers interested in the first person to set foot on the moon! Easy to read, though it doesn't gloss over the darker parts, like how risky learning to fly was in his time such that Armstrong came across and watched a friend die after the friend's fatal plane crash. (I mean, it's risky now, even with years of advancements, but what isn't?)

[Jim · Rating 1 out of 5]

i made it as far as page two before i gave up. Written at a second grade level this presumes that eight year olds in the 2000s know who Armstrong was, most of the parents of the kids reading this were born after Armstrong and Aldrin walked on the moon. The first two pages ask several "Would it surprise you that Neil Armstrong did..." questions. Why would a kid be surprised that someone he hasn't heard of worked in a grocery store? Why would somebody having worked in a grocery store surprise anyone? " Mom! Mom! Did you know somebody famous sold canned tuna at Trader Joe's?! That guy that puts the eggs on the bottom of the bag under Dad's Two Buck Chuck might become somebody someday!"
Donating this to a little free library

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to inspire younger readers to work hard to achieve their dreams.

[zabarj · Rating 2 out of 5]

Title: Take a Giant Leap, Neil Armstrong!
Authors: Peter and Connie Roop
Interest Level: 3 - 5
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.5
Lexile® measure: 720L
DRA: 28-30
Guided Reading: N
Genre/Theme:
* Biography
* Informational
Topics:
* Space Travel

Summary: Neil Armstrong was an amazing boy even before he grew up to make history walking on the moon. This book tells some of the events in Neil's early life that fed his love of flying.

Review: This is a good book for students are in third grade, but reading at a lower level. Readers are able to learn more about Neil Armstrong and his trip to the moon. A great book to use when teaching about biographies.

[Rebekah]

This biography is about the first man to step onto the surface of the moon. Every hobby, interest, and class that Neil Armstrong participated in as he grew to manhood prepared him for the specific role he fulfilled as an astronaut. He was fascinated by airplanes from a very young age. Neil constructed models and pursued his pilot's license. He joined the Navy to gain a college education and to learn to fly jets. His life's direction was in the stars.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book allows for young readers to begin researching facts on people without being intimidated by large encyclopedias and 'adult read' biographies. Because it is a transitional, the illustrations bring interest to the text that heightens Neil Armstrongs life as a boy and his way to succeedings his dreams.

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neal rode a airplane! Neal stopped on the moon! Neal was in the navy war!

[kassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a huge impact on me. Neil was definitely one of my childhood heroes.