Review by Booklist Review
Aldrin, of Apollo 11 fame, leads a journey through centuries of air and space aviation and action, from Isaac Newton's theories on gravity to the future of Martian colonies and space tours. The text packs in a lot of information, including praise of lesser-known heroes like rocket designer Robert Goddard and fighter pilot Chuck Yeager. Aldrin's experience gives authority to that which he chooses to spotlight, but he also takes care to personalize each entry. For instance, when speaking of the Wright brothers, he notes that he and Neil Armstrong took a piece of fabric from the Wright Flyer 1 with them to the moon, writing, I think Orville and Wilbur would have been pleased and very proud. The art has a soft touch that may not have enough vigor for some, though it is nicely varied, switching from double-page spreads and inserts to side-by-side comparisons of craft. Historical quotes run across the bottom of each page, and there are two fantastic time lines that fill in details of dates, craft, crew, and much more.--Kraus, Daniel Copyright 2008 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Astronaut Aldrin and Minor (Reaching for the Moon) offer a second collaboration, tracing the history of flight from the Wright brothers through numerous NASA missions to envisioning a future in space. Paintings evoke the 1950s-1960s era, while Aldrin's text offers a compelling firsthand POV ("I had the privilege of being on board the final Gemini mission"). Additionally, quotations from Isaac Newton to President George W. Bush run across each page. A wealth of information as well as hints of whimsy-as a boy peers through the porthole of a spaceship, the text says: "One day your family may have some amazing vacation choices. Where will you go?"-will satisfy those captivated by space. Ages 6-8. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-The Apollo 11 astronaut follows up Reaching for the Moon (HarperCollins, 2005) with a quick overview of the past and near future of human space flight. Paired with Minor's clean-lined, realistically detailed scenes of significant aircraft, spacecraft, and high spots, his narrative opens with Galileo, closes with the rousing suggestion that the opportunity to venture into space lies just a tantalizing few years down the road for many young readers, and in between provides a fact-laced history, capped by a complete tally of Apollo missions and a look at planned expeditions to Mars. Aldrin adds a personal slant to his commentary-noting, for instance, that his aviator father was trained by Robert Goddard and was a friend of Charles Lindbergh. It distinguishes this survey from other titles that cover similar territory and should leave readers with a clearer sense of how the past connects with the future.-John Peters, New York Public Library Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
(Primary, Intermediate) In his second space-themed book for children (Reaching for the Moon), former astronaut Aldrin presents a historical overview of the space program. More inspirational than authoritative, it nevertheless covers important space-history events, including what might lie ahead in terms of human missions to the Moon and Mars. What makes this contribution unique is its narrator: Aldrin's first-person account is peppered with comments establishing his connections to so many people and events-"My dad studied under Dr. Goddard"; "I first heard the beeps [of Sputnik] on the radio"-a personal touch that may indeed inspire readers to become part of the story someday. Minor's finely detailed illustrations of the recognizable images of space flight match the personal-narrative tone-a far better choice than photographs would have been. A comprehensive timeline of astronomical and aeronautical achievements at the back of the book is a helpful resource. From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
There's no doubt about Aldrin's passion for his subject nor his very specialized firsthand knowledge. And as always Minor's paintings are attractive and detailed. Still this follow-up to Reaching for the Moon (2005) feels like an unnecessary addendum rather than a useful and intriguing supplement. The author offers an overview of space exploration, beginning with the contributions of Copernicus, Galileo and Newton and segueing into the work of the Wright brothers, Edwin Hubble and Robert Goddard. Brief descriptions of various NASA missions follow. His personal commentary offers a unique twist, but the brevity of the presentationa double-page spread for each topic, the first few featuring multiple individualsmay leave readers feeling confused and overwhelmed rather than enlightened. A timeline helps to sort out the sequence of events, and its thumbnail illustrations serve as a sort of visual index, but even here there appears to be too much information squeezed into too small a space. More inspirational than informational, this may please aspiring space explorers but has the potential to leave many listeners in the dark. (Nonfiction. 7-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
