- Publisher: First Second
- Available in: Hardback, Paperback
- ISBN: 978-1626728776
- Published: February 4, 2020
A New York Public Library 2020 Best Book for Kids.
A Texas Library Association 2021 Little Maverick Reading List book.
An Amazon Editor’s Pick: Best Nonfiction for Kids.
A Kirkus Best Book of 2020.
A Spring 2020 Gold Standard Selection of the Junior Library Guild.
A YALSA 2021 Great Graphic Novel for Teens.
A Pop Culture Classroom 2021 Excellence in Graphic Literature finalist.
A Nerdy Award winner for Best Graphic Novel of 2020.
A 2021 Rise : A Feminist Book Project List title.
The U.S. may have put the first man on the moon, but it was the Soviet space program that made Valentina Tereshkova the first woman in space. It took years to catch up, but soon NASA’s first female astronauts were racing past milestones of their own. The trail-blazing women of Group 9, NASA’s first mixed gender class, had the challenging task of convincing the powers that be that a woman’s place is in space, but they discovered that NASA had plenty to learn about how to make space travel possible for everyone.
Your guide and narrator is Mary Cleave, who both made history and saw it first-hand. Mary became an astronaut in 1980, was Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) on five Space Shuttle flights including Sally Ride’s first mission. After traveling almost 4 million miles in space herself on two Shuttle missions, she served as Associate Administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, where she helped decide what robots go to space.
So join Mary, Sally Ride, the Mercury 13, Valentina Tereshkova, Carolyn Huntoon, and many more (including Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura from Star Trek — yes, she played a role in real exploration too!) on the journey of a lifetime.
Press
“Gobs of humor, lively artwork, and tidy explanations of the science make this a standout among the vast field of books about the U.S. space program.” —Booklist, Starred Review
“Exhilarating—as well as hilarious, enraging, or both at once depending on the reader. ” —Kirkus, Starred Review
“A well-researched and lively text and tidily composed yet expressive illustrations capture the women’s passion, ambition, and know-how—and their indignation and fury at the sexism they faced. Inspirational and funny…” —Horn Book, Starred Review
“Fans of Ottaviani’s T-Minus: The Race to the Moon, as well as those interested in science or space travel, will eagerly gravitate to this title. A stellar addition to all collections.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review
“Wicks and Ottaviani skillfully capture Cleave’s infectious enthusiasm up to the last page.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Ottaviani and Wicks drive home the message that it’s all about teamwork, and no team can function without diverse members.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“[A] tale that balances anger and frustration with generous doses of humor and sweet triumphs.” —Discover
…and elsewhere:
School Library Journal | Association of Space Explorers (ASE) bookshelf | The Planetary Society | PopMatters | Book Riot | A Mighty Girl | Shepherd | Kids’ Book Buzz | Oregon Coast Youth Book Preview Center | A Kids Book a Day
