Book Review: Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream

Module 4

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stone, Tanya. Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0-763-63611-1

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Stone tells the story of thirteen remarkable women who dared to dream an impossible dream. In 1958, the United States was determined to beat the Russians in the Space Race and created the NASA program. The man who tested the first astronauts was Randy Lovelace, and he was determined to prove that women were as capable as men. Although the results showed that women could handle loneliness, stress, heat, cold, noise, and pain better than men and would be less expensive than men, NASA refused to allow women in the program.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The story of these amazing women is an inspiration to all women and anyone who dares to dream. During the 1960s, women were seen simply as housewives. Men, and even some women, did not think that women were capable of handling jobs that men typically did. Cobb and the other twelve women showed that you can fight for what you believe in, and just because everyone says that it is impossible, you do not have to give up.

The illustrations in this book include original photographs of astronauts and the thirteen women, cartoon clippings, and magazine covers that were printed at that time. The illustrations were instrumental in relating the story of these thirteen women. It showed them undergoing the tests and gave the reader a chance to see their experiences. The cartoon clips and magazine covers demonstrated the difficulty that the women had in standing up for their beliefs. They were made fun of and criticized in the media. These were truly extraordinary women who could not only pass the physical and mental tests that many thought only men could handle, but they also handled all the criticism and negative press that tried to stop their dreams.

The information is organized chronologically and sources are cited throughout the book. The style of writing is unique, and often reads like a narrator is telling the story. Short sentences create pauses in the flow of reading that allow the reader to take a moment to consider the information.

 

4. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS

*Robert F. Sibert Medal

*School Library Journal: “She understands how to weave setting, exposition, and analysis to keep the reader’s perspective fresh and involved.”

*Kirkus Reviews: “Handsomely illustrated with photographs, this empowering story will leave readers inspired.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Research occupations that women were previously not allowed to do but are now a part of. What occupations are they still excluded from or have very little participation in?

*Discuss the major accomplishments of the NASA program.

*Related books about space flight

Chaikin, Andrew. MISSION CONTROL, THIS IS APOLLO: THE STORY OF THE FIRST VOYAGES TO THE MOON. ISBN 978-0670011568

Floca, Brian. MOONSHOT: THE FLIGHT OF APOLLO 11. ISBN 978-1416950462