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A Smile as Big as the Moon: A Special Education Teacher, His Class, and Their Inspiring Journey Through U.S. Space Camp
Besides being a football coach at his Michigan High School, Mike
Kersjes taught special education classes, dealing with children whose disabilities included Tourette syndrome, Downs Syndrome, dyslexia, eating disorders and a variety of emotional problems.
One autumn Kersjes got the outlandish idea that his students would benefit from going to Space Camp, where, in conjunction with NASA, high school students compete in a variety of activities similar to those experienced by astronauts in training for space shuttle missions. There was only one this program had been specifically designed for gifted and talented students, the best and the brightest from America's most privileged high schools.
Kersjes believed that, given a chance, his kids could do as well as anybody, and with remarkable persistence broke down one barrier after another, from his own principal's office to the inner sanctum of NASA, until Space Camp opened its doors, on an experimental basis, to special ed students. After nine months of rigorous preparation, during which the class molded itself into a working team, they arrived at Space Camp, where they turned in a performance so startling, so surprising, that it will leave the reader breathless. A truly triumphant story of the power of the human spirit.
Kersjes taught special education classes, dealing with children whose disabilities included Tourette syndrome, Downs Syndrome, dyslexia, eating disorders and a variety of emotional problems.
One autumn Kersjes got the outlandish idea that his students would benefit from going to Space Camp, where, in conjunction with NASA, high school students compete in a variety of activities similar to those experienced by astronauts in training for space shuttle missions. There was only one this program had been specifically designed for gifted and talented students, the best and the brightest from America's most privileged high schools.
Kersjes believed that, given a chance, his kids could do as well as anybody, and with remarkable persistence broke down one barrier after another, from his own principal's office to the inner sanctum of NASA, until Space Camp opened its doors, on an experimental basis, to special ed students. After nine months of rigorous preparation, during which the class molded itself into a working team, they arrived at Space Camp, where they turned in a performance so startling, so surprising, that it will leave the reader breathless. A truly triumphant story of the power of the human spirit.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
April 2, 2018
Wow! That was a powerful, and wonderful story. I had heard of the movie but hadn't gotten to watch it yet, so when I discovered that the movie was based on a book, I was eager to read it.
Right from the start I was hooked. While not full of excitement and adventure, this book was filled with a determination to do something positive. Two teachers ready to take on anyone they needed so that their special education class could be treated like everyone else. Each of the children in the class were different, they all had their own needs and problems, and that's what made them special. I teared up once, laughed a couple times, and had a hard time putting the book down.
My only complaints were the few times the author used the Lord's name in a wrong way, or used a swear word. Thankfully neither one happened that often.
Right from the start I was hooked. While not full of excitement and adventure, this book was filled with a determination to do something positive. Two teachers ready to take on anyone they needed so that their special education class could be treated like everyone else. Each of the children in the class were different, they all had their own needs and problems, and that's what made them special. I teared up once, laughed a couple times, and had a hard time putting the book down.
My only complaints were the few times the author used the Lord's name in a wrong way, or used a swear word. Thankfully neither one happened that often.
January 4, 2016
I saw the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie before I read this book, and I was still touched and moved knowing what would happen. This is a heartwarming story of a special education teacher who proved that space camp is for everyone.
November 3, 2017
A book everyone should read.
For it shows what people are capable of doing with help, devotion and belief.
Sometimes one single person can make a difference
For it shows what people are capable of doing with help, devotion and belief.
Sometimes one single person can make a difference
January 11, 2016
Definitely a feel-good book. Kersjes details first the struggle to get approval to take his class of Special Ed students to space camp, and then the experience of preparing the students...and, of course, going to space camp.
It's an enjoyable story, particularly when it comes to the ways in which Kersjes and his co-teacher prepared the students—lots of little things come into play, often in ways that the teachers hadn't quite expected. It's also just plain sad to hear about the way those students were treated, not only by other (mainstream) students but also by teachers and administrators. I hope schools have come a long, long way since then.
Kersjes is good about making complex characters out of his students: he's going to fight for them, going to show their good sides, but he's realistic about their difficulties as well. I don't suppose he had much of a choice there, but it's easier to root for them when they're presented as neither angels nor demons. He's not as good about rounding out the secondary characters—there's a definite feel of 'with us or against us'; i.e., those who didn't support Kersjes's goals, and quickly, take a bit of a beating in the book.
I'm torn on the content divide—Kersjes spends quite a lot of time detailing red tape he had to cut through to get all the necessary permissions, and while it feels like a hugely important part of the story (showing clearly how little was expected of these kids), I'd have liked to get to know the students better. Some of them are more clearly painted than others (which stands to reason; hard to flesh out twenty distinct personalities and storylines in one book when so much else is going on!), and I wondered whether some of it comes down to publication date: the book was published more than ten years after this first space-camp odyssey, and some students stories must have stood out more strongly to Kersjes than others did. I am left uncertain, though, of what their learning disabilities really meant in terms of their learning—my memories of the Special Ed students in the schools I attended are few, but many of them seemed to have further-reaching developmental disabilities than the students in this book (who are mostly described as having learning disabilities, or sometimes troubled backgrounds, rather than developmental disabilities). My basis for comparison is slim. Still, I'm not sure what I'd want done with that, since it's clear that Kersjes would rather (rightly) that the reader come away with impressions of the students that are not just about the reasons they're in Special Ed.
At any rate, an interesting book, and I was rooting for success, which is generally a good sign. A note on the cover, though: I read a hardback, with the hands holding a sparkly blue globe. The paperback cover, though, shows a man with a bunch of little kids, all looking up at the moon. Which is fine...except that the students were in high school, not elementary school, and hardly wearing knee socks and pinafores. Seems like something of a blatant appeal to sympathies, yes? Little kids being cuter than teenagers and all that.
It's an enjoyable story, particularly when it comes to the ways in which Kersjes and his co-teacher prepared the students—lots of little things come into play, often in ways that the teachers hadn't quite expected. It's also just plain sad to hear about the way those students were treated, not only by other (mainstream) students but also by teachers and administrators. I hope schools have come a long, long way since then.
Kersjes is good about making complex characters out of his students: he's going to fight for them, going to show their good sides, but he's realistic about their difficulties as well. I don't suppose he had much of a choice there, but it's easier to root for them when they're presented as neither angels nor demons. He's not as good about rounding out the secondary characters—there's a definite feel of 'with us or against us'; i.e., those who didn't support Kersjes's goals, and quickly, take a bit of a beating in the book.
I'm torn on the content divide—Kersjes spends quite a lot of time detailing red tape he had to cut through to get all the necessary permissions, and while it feels like a hugely important part of the story (showing clearly how little was expected of these kids), I'd have liked to get to know the students better. Some of them are more clearly painted than others (which stands to reason; hard to flesh out twenty distinct personalities and storylines in one book when so much else is going on!), and I wondered whether some of it comes down to publication date: the book was published more than ten years after this first space-camp odyssey, and some students stories must have stood out more strongly to Kersjes than others did. I am left uncertain, though, of what their learning disabilities really meant in terms of their learning—my memories of the Special Ed students in the schools I attended are few, but many of them seemed to have further-reaching developmental disabilities than the students in this book (who are mostly described as having learning disabilities, or sometimes troubled backgrounds, rather than developmental disabilities). My basis for comparison is slim. Still, I'm not sure what I'd want done with that, since it's clear that Kersjes would rather (rightly) that the reader come away with impressions of the students that are not just about the reasons they're in Special Ed.
At any rate, an interesting book, and I was rooting for success, which is generally a good sign. A note on the cover, though: I read a hardback, with the hands holding a sparkly blue globe. The paperback cover, though, shows a man with a bunch of little kids, all looking up at the moon. Which is fine...except that the students were in high school, not elementary school, and hardly wearing knee socks and pinafores. Seems like something of a blatant appeal to sympathies, yes? Little kids being cuter than teenagers and all that.
March 30, 2023
I really enjoyed this story! I thought that the author’s perspective as a teacher and coach was really enlightening and heartening. I really liked reading about the kids’ journey and how they changed throughout the book. I could see a lot of my own students in this story.
August 23, 2014
I read this book my senior year of high school......a month later, I was applying for teacher education programs. What a great story.
December 16, 2023
Awesome!
I could not stop rooting for these kids. Kids are not bad....at times they make bad choices....surround them with a strong foundation and watch them flourish.
I could not stop rooting for these kids. Kids are not bad....at times they make bad choices....surround them with a strong foundation and watch them flourish.
February 20, 2024
Incredible Story of Courage and Overcoming Adversity
Incredible story of courage and overcoming adversity. I recommend this book to anyone who’s ever worked with or cared about special needs kids. I applaud the selflessness of the teachers who dared to imagine the Space Camp experience for their special needs students and all the additional work required for gaining their acceptance into and preparing them for the program.
Incredible story of courage and overcoming adversity. I recommend this book to anyone who’s ever worked with or cared about special needs kids. I applaud the selflessness of the teachers who dared to imagine the Space Camp experience for their special needs students and all the additional work required for gaining their acceptance into and preparing them for the program.
March 26, 2022
I loved the idea behind this and what the students and their teachers accomplished. It is incredible, and every student, independent of their learning needs, should feel that sort of success when expectations are raised high. I give their teachers a lot of credit for believing in them when everyone else turned away.
I gave this a lower rating due to the narration of the story. I thought the author seemed to be condescending at points, and that was bothersome. I also think the story could have been written without such extensive detail. It seemed laborious at times to continue.
From an educator’s perspective, though, it is worth the read.
I gave this a lower rating due to the narration of the story. I thought the author seemed to be condescending at points, and that was bothersome. I also think the story could have been written without such extensive detail. It seemed laborious at times to continue.
From an educator’s perspective, though, it is worth the read.
June 11, 2024
Was a very enjoyable story. This book was about a Special Education Teacher and his students. The good and the bad was shown in this book. We see that with the right opportunities, and with just a little patience and help, children are able to accomplish amazing things. These children, who had myriad problems, were able to go to Space Camp (camp for highly intelligent kids) and were able to have fun, participate and learn. This book will inform and bring you warm feelings. The children showed that they are able to do anything and sometimes they can do it better.
October 28, 2025
This is an inspiring book that will renew your faith in the good things that can happen when we put aside prejudices and decide to seek out and develop strengths and overcome adversity by working together. It will also cause you to question the judgements that you may have made about others and their worth to our society.
July 7, 2025
True story that was made in to a movie. the movie was great and stuck closely to the story. Only minor differences.
September 20, 2025
I rarely give 5 stars to a book. It was fantastic! Super happy that I picked it up.
May 12, 2023
I watched the TV movie "A Smile as Big as the Moon" some time ago and knew it was based on a true story, but didn't realize said story was also a book until I came across a copy of it at a library book sale. Reading the actual story of Mike Kersjes' class, without the drama that filmmakers are prone to adding to any true story, was a breath of fresh air after reading some rather grim non-fiction titles lately. ("Under the Banner of Heaven," anyone?) And seeing these students rise above everyone's expectations and show they can be every bit as exceptional as mainstream and gifted students was heartwarming.
Mike Kersjes taught special education at a high school in Michigan, and oversaw students with a variety of issues -- dyslexia, autism, Tourette's, Down's Syndrome, anger issues, etc. When he came across a magazine article about Space Camp, he asked his students if they wanted to go... and the answer was overwhelmingly yes! But Space Camp made no accommodations for special-needs students, and not only did the school district think these kids weren't capable of the rigors of the camp, but camp officials themselves and even Mike's own wife viewed their dreams with skepticism. But Mike and his students were determined to make a go of it... and not only would they gain the support of the community, they would learn to work together as a team and utilize their strengths to realize their dream.
Mike writes in a conversational tone that makes it feel like he's sitting beside you telling his own story, and I enjoyed that as I read. He's a natural storyteller, and he isn't afraid to reveal his own mistakes, doubts, and frustrations as he relates the story of his class. He also makes it clear that the kids are the heroes of their story, and that they're far more than just their professional diagnoses. There are obstacles, sure, and some of those obstacles ARE the students' special needs... but Mike shows that these obstacles don't have to be insurmountable.
I sort of wish this book had included pictures -- I would have liked to have some faces to put with names, and it would have been cool to see some of the activities the kids did, both at Space Camp and in preparation for it. Ah well.
This is a hopeful and uplifting story, one that shows that you can achieve your dreams even if the rest of the world tells you that you can't. It's nice to read the story behind the movie, and to know that it wasn't just a story but real teenagers overcoming challenges and paving the way for others.
Mike Kersjes taught special education at a high school in Michigan, and oversaw students with a variety of issues -- dyslexia, autism, Tourette's, Down's Syndrome, anger issues, etc. When he came across a magazine article about Space Camp, he asked his students if they wanted to go... and the answer was overwhelmingly yes! But Space Camp made no accommodations for special-needs students, and not only did the school district think these kids weren't capable of the rigors of the camp, but camp officials themselves and even Mike's own wife viewed their dreams with skepticism. But Mike and his students were determined to make a go of it... and not only would they gain the support of the community, they would learn to work together as a team and utilize their strengths to realize their dream.
Mike writes in a conversational tone that makes it feel like he's sitting beside you telling his own story, and I enjoyed that as I read. He's a natural storyteller, and he isn't afraid to reveal his own mistakes, doubts, and frustrations as he relates the story of his class. He also makes it clear that the kids are the heroes of their story, and that they're far more than just their professional diagnoses. There are obstacles, sure, and some of those obstacles ARE the students' special needs... but Mike shows that these obstacles don't have to be insurmountable.
I sort of wish this book had included pictures -- I would have liked to have some faces to put with names, and it would have been cool to see some of the activities the kids did, both at Space Camp and in preparation for it. Ah well.
This is a hopeful and uplifting story, one that shows that you can achieve your dreams even if the rest of the world tells you that you can't. It's nice to read the story behind the movie, and to know that it wasn't just a story but real teenagers overcoming challenges and paving the way for others.
January 12, 2020
This is an inspiring story about the sorts of things that can happen when teachers are motivated.
Mike Kersjes was a high school special education teacher in Grand Rapids in the 1980s when he heard about a program called Space Camp. Sponsored by NASA and held in Huntsville, Alabama, Space Camp attracted the best and the brightest science-minded kids worldwide to take part in an arduous week of classes, simulations, tests, and recreation. (Let me just add here that Space Camp was my dream vacation location when I was in high school.)
Kersjes suddenly got an idea: what if his special education students could go to Space Camp? What if he could take his kids with autism, Downs Syndrome, emotional disturbances, etc. to Huntsville to show them that they could rub shoulders with the best and the brightest?
From that dream, great things were born. After an uphill battle Kersjes and his partner teacher Robynn McKinney managed to secure both approval and private funding. And then the training started. They spent a year and a half training their students for the things they would face at Space Camp: working together to assemble tetrahedrons underwater, performing simulated missions, memorising acronyms, sitting on a roof at night looking at the stars, etc.
The book is the stuff of Disney movies, or it would be if the first person narrator (Kersjes) was easier to like. In his mind all other educators except him and Robynn didn't care about kids at all and, if anything, were hoping to see this Space Camp venture fail. Even from his own perspective Kersjes had a massive chip on his shoulder about everything, and at times it made the book hard to read because I was rolling my eyes so much. I wonder how the other educators in the school district (who must have been very supportive in reality if they managed to get administration and school board approval for taking 20 special education kids from Michigan to Alabama for an entire week without their parents) felt about the way they were characterised in the book.
But that was my only complaint. The book is well worth anyone's time, and I think teachers would find it inspiring.
Mike Kersjes was a high school special education teacher in Grand Rapids in the 1980s when he heard about a program called Space Camp. Sponsored by NASA and held in Huntsville, Alabama, Space Camp attracted the best and the brightest science-minded kids worldwide to take part in an arduous week of classes, simulations, tests, and recreation. (Let me just add here that Space Camp was my dream vacation location when I was in high school.)
Kersjes suddenly got an idea: what if his special education students could go to Space Camp? What if he could take his kids with autism, Downs Syndrome, emotional disturbances, etc. to Huntsville to show them that they could rub shoulders with the best and the brightest?
From that dream, great things were born. After an uphill battle Kersjes and his partner teacher Robynn McKinney managed to secure both approval and private funding. And then the training started. They spent a year and a half training their students for the things they would face at Space Camp: working together to assemble tetrahedrons underwater, performing simulated missions, memorising acronyms, sitting on a roof at night looking at the stars, etc.
The book is the stuff of Disney movies, or it would be if the first person narrator (Kersjes) was easier to like. In his mind all other educators except him and Robynn didn't care about kids at all and, if anything, were hoping to see this Space Camp venture fail. Even from his own perspective Kersjes had a massive chip on his shoulder about everything, and at times it made the book hard to read because I was rolling my eyes so much. I wonder how the other educators in the school district (who must have been very supportive in reality if they managed to get administration and school board approval for taking 20 special education kids from Michigan to Alabama for an entire week without their parents) felt about the way they were characterised in the book.
But that was my only complaint. The book is well worth anyone's time, and I think teachers would find it inspiring.
January 27, 2016
Mike Kersjes a special education teacher (and football coach) in Grand Rapids Michigan gets a crazy idea -- to take his class of 20 spec ed high school students to the prestigious week-long Space Camp. His principal thinks its a crazy idea as well as the special ed coordinator for the school district. And so does the Space Camp director. But Mike knows that his kids can meet this challenge and he fights tooth and nail to accomplish it. Fortunately the area congressman is on the Space projects committee in Washington DC and he is able to get Mike an initial conference with the Camp directors. Although they are skeptical they agree to allow the teens to participate once they have been sufficiently trained by Mike and his aides. The process took nearly 2 years and $50,000.
What a joy this book was! The kids went from being the brunt of cruel jokes by the rest of the students in their school, and among themselves at times, to a proud, functioning team who truly learned to care for one another. During the 2 year process of training individual kids were found to have amazing talents and gifts that had never been encouraged before. Parents who loved their children but had stopped expecting them to excel were amazed at what their sons and daughters accomplished. If you want a feel-good read, and I warn you to expect a few tears along the way, I recommend this book highly.
What a joy this book was! The kids went from being the brunt of cruel jokes by the rest of the students in their school, and among themselves at times, to a proud, functioning team who truly learned to care for one another. During the 2 year process of training individual kids were found to have amazing talents and gifts that had never been encouraged before. Parents who loved their children but had stopped expecting them to excel were amazed at what their sons and daughters accomplished. If you want a feel-good read, and I warn you to expect a few tears along the way, I recommend this book highly.
October 1, 2015
What can I say besides this book is amazing? I had found this during research for my capstone project(an intensive project required to graduate), and knew I had to read it. This book shows anyone who doesn't really understand the dynamics of special needs and special education what it really is. It was wicked cool that it was a true story, and the fact that Kersjes and his students went through all that they did and still came out on top was awesome. I love a story that shows good people, and Mike Kersejes' love for his students was wonderful. While sometimes this book could be frustrating in the utter ignorance of some people(especially adults!), I did very much enjoy reading the growth of the kids. Growing up around the special needs community, it's wicked hard for me to truly understand how people could be so ignorant, and the fact that Kersjes' students proved everyone wrong was a truly inspiring thing. If you want to read a wonderful and inspiring story, I recommend that you read this immediately.
February 5, 2023
This is a book that tugs at the heartstrings. It shows the grit and determination of a teacher (as well as the teacher that he shared a classroom with) to make a life-changing experience happen for their students. But this is not just a theoretical warm-fuzzy story; it actually happened in 1987-1989 at Forest Hills Northern High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan: the alma mater of my children.
Special Education in the 1980s was not an easy time, and this book offers some fine examples showing how the students needed someone advocating for them. There was opposition on many fronts, but this book also highlights many who made it happen, including familiar West Michigan names like Paul Henry, Michael Washburn, and Daniel Trierweiler. No one could do it alone.
It was inspiring to see how a classroom of unique socially uncomfortable individuals could come together and merge into a smooth-running team. Yes, this book was made into a Hallmark movie, but the book gives more background into the real struggles behind the movie script.
Special Education in the 1980s was not an easy time, and this book offers some fine examples showing how the students needed someone advocating for them. There was opposition on many fronts, but this book also highlights many who made it happen, including familiar West Michigan names like Paul Henry, Michael Washburn, and Daniel Trierweiler. No one could do it alone.
It was inspiring to see how a classroom of unique socially uncomfortable individuals could come together and merge into a smooth-running team. Yes, this book was made into a Hallmark movie, but the book gives more background into the real struggles behind the movie script.
July 6, 2012
The book was very heartwarming. A group of special education students who did the unthinkable and succeeded as they were the first special ed students who went to space camp. I cheered on their successes and cried with their disappointments. A teacher who went through challenges to get his class to space camp. He prepared them to the best of his ability and then stepped back to allow his students to shine.
It is a book for anyone who works with special need students should read. There is something that anyone can appreciate and it related to my life in many ways. First as a teacher who works with these types of students every day, as a child who was in special education for a few years and had to break down barriers in my personal journey, and as an adult who's aunt and uncle have disabilities and have witnessed first hand their struggles and successes.
Very well written and detailed description of these students and their experience.
It is a book for anyone who works with special need students should read. There is something that anyone can appreciate and it related to my life in many ways. First as a teacher who works with these types of students every day, as a child who was in special education for a few years and had to break down barriers in my personal journey, and as an adult who's aunt and uncle have disabilities and have witnessed first hand their struggles and successes.
Very well written and detailed description of these students and their experience.
October 7, 2016
Since my teaching career was in special education, I could really relate to this story. I know all the struggles the special ed. kids deal with and how discouraging things can be for them. So this story just drew me in and made me remember all the rewards that can come with being persistent in what you know is right whether it's placing a student with a particular teacher or encouraging someone who has been put down his/her whole life to stretch beyond what anyone else has ever asked them to do. The rewards come when you see the "smile as big as the moon" on the face of that student. I bought a copy of this book because it wasn't in our library, probably because it took place in the late 80's. It really is a great story of the success of a group of special education students in getting to Space Camp and succeeding there beyond anything anyone could imagine....except their teachers.
September 28, 2011
This was great book! If you plan on become a special education teacher you should read this book! It does a great job explaining the struggles that special ed teacher and their students go thru.
I was introduced to this book thru the daughter of one of my mom's workers. This daughter had to read this book for one of her education classes and told her mom who told my mom who told me. I was at the library that day to check it out. My whole family finished the book in about 2 days.
I really love how the book ends with Scott getting the Right Stuff award at Space Camp and the end of the book makes me cry every time I read.
This book really inspired me; that has a future special education teacher, there is no limit to what I can teach and what my students can learn!
I was introduced to this book thru the daughter of one of my mom's workers. This daughter had to read this book for one of her education classes and told her mom who told my mom who told me. I was at the library that day to check it out. My whole family finished the book in about 2 days.
I really love how the book ends with Scott getting the Right Stuff award at Space Camp and the end of the book makes me cry every time I read.
This book really inspired me; that has a future special education teacher, there is no limit to what I can teach and what my students can learn!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2014
This was a heart warming novel about a special education teacher and his unique class. I wish he had just named the book 'A Smile as Big as the Moon" and left off the rest. Along with that I wish he had eliminated or changed his prologue. These two things allowed the reader to know that the class DID go to space camp and then he spent a good half of the book developing how he convinced the director, his principal and others that his kids deserved to go. Although still interesting, I think it would have been best to be left in the dark to see how it would turn out. Aside from that it was an enjoyable read.
Just saw the movie...the book is MUCH better!
Just saw the movie...the book is MUCH better!
November 15, 2014
This was a fantastic book. It was very well-written, and I couldn't put it down. Even the parts at the beginning that were only about trying to get paperwork submitted and going to meetings were suspenseful and entertaining. The authors did a fantastic job telling their story, and it was an excellent and uplifting story. I also appreciated that realities weren't sugar-coated. The author expressed his worries throughout the process of taking his special eduction class to space camp. He included the parts that weren't glamorous. He had a very honest reaction to the conclusion of the book, and he shares it. Overall a great read.
February 11, 2017
Wonderful, true account of a special ed teacher's vision for his students. It tends to be a bit wordy or detailed in the narration which is why it took me quite a while to read this book, but its a gemstone of a book, particularly for ANY educator or parents of special needs students. I can see why it appealed to Hallmark Hall of Fame producers to create it into one of their quarterly holiday special movies! It has a lot of heart.
The soul of the book is summed up in its epilogue beautifully with this observation: "I could hear something....a sound...a sound every child should hear at least once in his life.....The sound of....."
Well, you want to know what that is now, right?
The soul of the book is summed up in its epilogue beautifully with this observation: "I could hear something....a sound...a sound every child should hear at least once in his life.....The sound of....."
Well, you want to know what that is now, right?
January 11, 2020
I absolutely LOVED this book! It was inspiring, uplifting, and extremely hard to put down. I felt like I was part of the journey, part of the team, and definitely one of the supporters and cheerleaders for these students and teachers. Incredible story! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who believes (or wants to believe) that seemingly impossible dreams really can come true, if you are willing to put in the sweat, tears, and effort required to make it happen. The message and experiences shared throughout this book will continue to stay with the reader long after the final page is turned.
March 12, 2012
Feel good true story about a group of special education high school kids who go to space camp. The book is written by the teacher who helped make it all possible. It goes to show that given the right opportunities and help ALL children are capable of doing amazing things. Before this particular group of children went to space camp it was reserved for honors/gifted type, rich kids. These kids were able not only to go, but they were competitive right along with the gifted kids! A real triumph of underdogs.
April 9, 2018
This book is perfect for a feel-good story, recommended to me by one of my students. A high school football coach/ special ed teacher gets his students with varying disabilities (all of whom we get to know in the book) to Space Camp, which is typically reserved for gifted students. This story follows his journey and their journey and ultimately shows that we're all more similar than different--a great message. I heard there is a movie based on this, as well, and I think it might be a good one for my boys to watch.
July 30, 2014
This book is one of the things that inspired me to change my career and become a special education teacher... I learned a lot about teaching kids with special needs and what to expect when I became a teacher. I recommend this book for anyone considering teacher or for anyone who works with kids. I have heard they made a movie about the book and look forward to watching it. The story is very inspirational!
June 23, 2021
My kids love the movie that was made based on this book. My wife and I wanted to know how closely the movie held to the story. I was pleasantly surprised that most of the dialogue in the movies is right out of the book.
A few people were combined into characters and many scenes were modified or left out, but the spirit of the story was there. There were many spots where we would read a clever of funny line out to each other.
An enjoyable read. Well paced and heartfelt.
A few people were combined into characters and many scenes were modified or left out, but the spirit of the story was there. There were many spots where we would read a clever of funny line out to each other.
An enjoyable read. Well paced and heartfelt.
March 29, 2012
As a big sister to a younger sister with Downs Syndrome, it is refreshing to read about one of the unique teachers of special ed. It is inspiring, it is a call to "shoot for the moon," and it reads easily and smoothly. A lot better than the TV version of the same story. It is good to know that special ed made a positive impact on the development of Space Camp.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews