Moon: Science, History, and Mystery

by Stewart Ross

Overview

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the lunar landing with this beautifully designed and informative book about the Moon.

The Moon has always been a magical and mystical icon for people throughout history. It is the only natural satellite of Earth. It is the 2nd brightest object in the sky after the sun. Since prehistoric times, the Moon has been an object of fascination, awe, and even worship. July 20, 2009, is the 40th anniversary of the date that man first walked on the Moon. This special book combines the story of the preparation, journey, arrival, and landing of Apollo 11 with scientific information about the Moon and its influence on our culture through music, theater, literature, and more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545127325
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	04/15/2009
Series:	Moon Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	1040L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

Editorial Reviews

There is no question that there is a wealth of information in this book. The "Did You Know" stars are a bit hard to read, but they are filled with little tidbits that kids love to drop on friends and family. Background information about the Cold War and the race into space between the U.S.A. and the USSR led to the establishment of NASA and the pledge that John F. Kennedy made to put a man on the Moon by the end of the decade. Turning the page brings up some history about Moon studies by Greek, Islamic and other scholars while the next set of pages relates myths about the Moon and Moon worship. The book moves back and forth among these sections—fact and fiction. The next major factual section addresses the Apollo program, then jumps back in history to discuss Galileo and then off to a fanciful discussion of nursery rhymes, religion and once again returning to the actual science of the space program with the development of the Saturn rocket. The Moon landing is achieved and subsequent landings are described. I personally found the interspersing myths, legends, horror films and factual accounts a bit distracting. Kids who are not good readers may have trouble jumping between real and surreal topics, ancient history and a program that achieved real scientific breakthroughs in the last century. The closing pages offer Moon facts, recap the lunar exploration, and provide a glossary, index, list of websites and places to visit where kids can learn even more. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

Gr 4–6—Jam-packed with information, this colorful oversize volume chronicles the race to land a person on the Moon. Alternating chapters describe Moon mythologies and superstitions, the history of astronomical study, and the efforts involved in launching a lunar expedition, each of which is given a keyed label on the contents page. The photographs pop with color and action, and provide insight into such everyday activities as the astronauts eating breakfast contrasted with the massive machinery required to put them into space. The chapters on mythology use art reproductions from many cultures across the centuries to show the worldwide and timeless fascination with the Moon, including science-fiction movies. The invaluable contribution of Muslim scientists is included in more than one of the "Moon Facts" chapters, which contrast the growth of scientific knowledge with lunar myths, stories, astrology, and science fiction. A one-page summary of Moon Facts provides quick reference, as does the Apollo Program time line. This book is similar to Jacqueline Mitton's Moon (DK, 2009), but its multicultural history will expand any collection.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

School Library Journal