Dream Big!

November 15, 2020
The 22-year-old founder of the nonprofit The Mars Generation "Astronaut Abby" offers advice on setting and accomplishing life goals. Harrison wanted to be an astronaut since early childhood, so when she was 11, her mother challenged her to make a plan and consider all the steps she would need to take to achieve her dream. In this conversational guide, Harrison walks her readers through the same process, providing personal reminisces alongside workbook-style exercises. She writes, "Big dreams don't require big actions; they just require a consistent pattern of small actions." Like many self-help books, this one elides the unavoidable impact that systemic oppression can have on marginalized people's goals, but it still contains a lot of useful suggestions. With friendly encouragement, it introduces concepts like the elevator pitch, SMART goals from the world of business management (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely), "accountabilibuddies," and burnout. Minibiographies of notable achievers outside the space world, like Elaine Welteroth and Nabela Noor, add interest and inspiration. Recent college graduate Harrison, who is on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming an astronaut, has pretty good stories herself, though, like the time she hung up on Buzz Aldrin or when she piloted a plane out of an uncontrollable spin. The content and approach are general enough to appeal both to STEM-oriented fans of the author as well as those whose interests lie in other areas. Harrison reads as White; many of the black-and-white illustrations include diverse representation. Fun and helpful. (Nonfiction. 10-16)

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December 1, 2020
Grades 7-10 In this practical self-help book, 23-year-old Harrison, aspiring astronaut and founder of the nonprofit organization Mars Generation, shares useful lessons she's learned that could help inspire young readers to pursue their own dreams. She lays out a series of steps and describes the strategies needed to accomplish each one: identify your dream, research it, form a plan to achieve it, and speak and stand up for it. The book contains illustrations, write-in activities, and templates, including one for a plan with goals broken down into achievable steps. Tips on overcoming procrastination, failure, and ways to combat burnout are included. The book defines what disrupters are, with Greta Thunberg, Nadya Okamoto, and others listed as examples. Harrison enthusiastically recommends bringing people with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints to the table to enhance a person's opinions, abilities, and skills. Any young person who wants to achieve their dreams will find this comprehensive book helpful, particularly the activities and the extensive chapter on mentors.

COPYRIGHT(2020) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

February 1, 2021

Gr 5 Up-This interactive guide teaches strategies for readers to achieve their dreams. Harrison, an aspiring astronaut, aims to be the first person to land on Mars. This goal motivated her to cofound an international STEM nonprofit called The Mars Generation. The text asks readers to first identify a specific dream, break down the dream into smaller action steps, and then craft an elevator pitch to share with others. Advice is provided on how to overcome fears and possible failures while achieving a balanced life and avoiding burnout. Harrison also emphasizes the need to seek out mentors and become a part of a diverse community to learn from others' perspectives. The conversational style is easy to understand. Chapters feature inspirational quotes from athletes, scientists, activists, and entertainers. The text includes the experiences of notable people who have overcome obstacles to achieve their goals. For example, the adventurer Bear Grylls overcame a spinal injury to eventually climb Mount Everest in 1998. There are eye-catching fonts, icons, think bubbles, and callouts. The illustrations depict characters with light and dark skin tones; one girl wears a hijab. There are also guided journaling activities, with prompted lists, questions, and charts. The content is appropriate for middle and high school, with many of the strategies being pertinent to college and adult readers as well. VERDICT A recommended purchase for middle school and high school libraries. Counselors assisting high schoolers with college preparation and educators teaching leadership classes will find many of the journaling activities very useful.-Maile Steimer, Jones M.S., Buford, GA

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