Almost Astronauts
By: Tanya Lee Stone
Bibliography: Stone, Tanya. (2009). Almost Astronauts. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press
Summary:
Almost Astronauts is the story of the "Mercury 13" a group of women in the 1960s who dared to dream that they too could be astronauts. The book tells the story of these 13 women through the trials and tribulations that they faced both during the space testing and afterwards when they were publicly mocked for their belief that women were just as fit if not more so than men for space flight and exploration. It is story of dreams, discrimination, despair, fight, and triumph.
Impressions:
I thought that this book was amazing. It was by far my favorite book that I read for this module. I came into the book not knowing anything about the Mercury 13. I was not even aware that women went through astronaut testing during the 60s or that they did so well! I think that this book is an incredible resource for children who are interested in space. The overall book design leans more towards older readers. The book is almost 200 pages long and the text takes up entire pages. There is, however, a wealth of beautiful historic photographs that younger readers will enjoy, that lend well for older readers who want to put faces to the names in the book. I learned a lot from reading this book. I was dismayed by the discrimination and political hijinks that crushed these women's dreams and at the same time uplifted by their determination to never quit and to blaze a path for future generations of women.
Review:
Kirkus Reviews
The fascinating, dramatic story of the “Mercury 13,” a group of women aviators who proved to be as courageous, intelligent and fit as any man, but who were nonetheless barred from NASA’s astronaut program because of their gender. At the center of the story is Jerrie Cobb, a veteran pilot who successfully completed every test given to male astronauts. Her performance, and that of the others, proved women had the “right stuff,” but these findings were not enough to overcome the prevailing prejudices of the time. It took 20 years before NASA admitted women into the astronaut program. Stone poignantly chronicles how the efforts of Cobb and her colleagues were ridiculed and thwarted by everyone from Vice-President Lyndon Johnson to Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter and John Glenn and—in a bitter irony—Jackie Cochran, a highly respected, trailblazing female pilot, who appeared to be motivated by jealousy and spite. The author offers great insight into how deeply ingrained sexism was in American society and its institutions. Handsomely illustrated with photographs, this empowering story will leave readers inspired. (foreword, source notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)
Library Setting:
In my opinion this book belongs in every library's nonfiction section. This books would work well in a classroom setting during a discussion of the 1960s. It could serve as a representation of the other side of NASA's space program as well as spark discussion on sexism in America. I think that this book could be used to inspire both girls and boys to not let anyone tell them what they can and cannot do, and to also shoot for the stars literally, pursuing science and math after being shown the practical applications of what you can do with this type of education.
Review Reference:
Kirkus Reviews. (2013). Almost astronauts review. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tanya-lee-stone/almost-astronauts/
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