Destination Moon

April 1, 2019
"Someday, people are going to try to go back to the Moon, and they are going to find out how hard it really is," reflected one of the men who had been deeply involved in America's drive to land a man on the moon. How right he was. Maurer begins his reads-like-fiction tale with the roots of the moon missions, World War II. Not only were many of the primary scientists, managers, and astronauts veterans of the war, but the technology needed for a successful moonshot also emerged then. The story is neatly broken down into the numerous steps (and missteps) along the way, each providing impetus for the next, that made up the effort to reach the moon by the seemingly almost unachievable goal of decade's end that President John F. Kennedy set in 1961. By providing plenty of information about the parallel--but always a step or two ahead--Soviet space program, Maurer clearly contextualizes the U.S. effort against the simmering threat of the Cold War. Accurate, detailed, and thoroughly entertaining, this tale is an essential purchase at a time when some are questioning if the moon landings were a propaganda hoax. Numerous archival black-and-white photographs, meticulous endnotes, an extensive reference list, and a timeline round out this outstanding work. Inspiring, fascinating, and, like the millions of parts that had to function for the space program to succeed, practically perfect. (Nonfiction. 10-adult)

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June 1, 2019

Gr 5-8-Starting with a short biography of each key figure prior to their involvement in NASA, Maurer details the series of space missions that put a man on the moon. Each individual involved with Apollo 11 is given his moment in the limelight, explaining their roles in World War II and how they became involved in the spaceflight industry. Maurer gives equal attention to the men behind the scenes-i.e., those managing, designing, and engineering the spacecraft-and to the astronauts who risked their lives to accomplish this unfathomable dream. A helpful table of contents and cast of characters are at the front of the book and there is a one-page briefing before and after each individual part with information that didn't seem to fit anywhere else. The notes and references at the end are extensive and very well organized. A brief time line and an index are included. The illustrations transport readers back to the Space Race by detailing magazine covers and posters from the time period and by containing drawings created during the design process of the spacecraft. Additionally, there are many photographs of people and objects involved in the Space Race. VERDICT This comprehensive history of the Space Race is a solid addition to any collection where literary nonfiction and/or space-related books are popular.-Kristin Unruh, Siersma Elementary School, Warren, MI

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from May 1, 2019
Grades 6-12 *Starred Review* Ask people to list key figures in America's space program and you'll hear a short list of astronauts' names. Maurer's book, which culminates with the Apollo 11 mission, digs deeper, highlighting six key figures (including one astronaut) and a large supporting cast. The story begins during WWII, when many of those who would figure out how to reach the moon were either engaged in carrying out active warfare, designing more powerful and accurate rockets, or running the mission-driven companies producing superior warplanes and related equipment under pressure. Their urgent sense of shared purpose would drive these individuals when they became NASA's managers, engineers, and astronauts, particularly after Kennedy publicly announced their goal and their deadline for achieving it. Well-chosen photos appear throughout the book. Based on extensive research, including NASA oral history interviews, government documents, books, and articles, the writing is detailed, authoritative, and full of effective quotes. Maurer, who commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first flight by writing The Wright Sister (2003), marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 with an enlightening history of America's space race. Here's an absorbing, insightful, solidly informative resource for readers who want to understand the U.S. space program from the ground up.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)