Ultimate Field Trip #5: Blasting Off To Space Academy - Hardcover

To research her various books and magazine articles, Susan E. Goodman has snowshoed through mountain forests, tried using a blowgun in the Amazon, and scared a moose at rest -- and herself in the bargain. Years ago, she went to U.S. Space Camp as a participant and loved the 1/6 Gravity Chair. Ms. Goodman lives with her family in Boston, Massachusetts.

Gr 5-8-This book follows student trainees through a weeklong session at the U.S. Space Academy in Huntsville, AL, as they are exposed to what it takes to become an astronaut and to the inner workings of the entire space program. Trainees get to wear space suits, experience zero gravity, and learn how to work cooperatively in an atmosphere much like walking in space. They study the International Space Station's design and its significance. A culminating activity has teams of trainees work together in different roles as they experience an actual space mission. Varied-colored pages, replete with outstanding full-color, captioned photos, are artistically appealing as well as informative. Sidebars include quotes from the youngsters and an "Amazing Space Facts Countdown" (beginning with 10 and counting down to liftoff) that describes various aspects and historical occurrences within the program. This is an appealing offering for general readers and for browsing.

Betsy Barnett, Eads School District, CO

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.