Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone
Bibliography
Stone, T. L. (2009). Almost astronauts: 13 women who dared to dream. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763636118
Plot Summary
Russia and the United States are in an arms race to see who can advance more in space research and development. The rumor is that Russia is planning on sending women into space. Lovelace a chairman in the NASA committee has an idea to find a group of women that can possibly become astronauts. In comes Jerrie Cobb an outstanding pilot and talented in every way, but her gender turns out to be the only thing standing in her way. Destiny puts Lovelace in her path and a journey begins that will affect the lives of many women. Lovelace was a man involved in NASA affairs and believed that women could do the same job men could do and even save the space program money. Due to Cobb’s resume he offered her an opportunity to prove society wrong by taking upon the same tests the mercury 7 men took to become astronauts.
Cobb jumped at the opportunity and passed all the tests with flying colors. She and the women that followed paved the way for women to have the same opportunities as men in this profession. They had to go through many obstacles, but these ladies did not budge. Cobb was able to complete phase three, but sadly the some of the others were not able to attempt the other set of exams. Many opposed the program and it came to a halt, but the women had already made a great impact that led many others to follow in their footsteps. A flash forward shows how even though these women were not able to go up into space they helped make history and were able to see the first woman astronaut launch into space.
Critical Analysis
Tanya Lee Stone’s book Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream is a must read. During the 1950s thirteen women took it upon themselves to prove society how a woman can do a man’s job. It was a time in which women were oppressed and had to follow certain social ordeals. These women paved the way for future generations to excel in a profession which was classified as a man’s job. They were made to pass rigorous tests and were seen as outcast for not following gender roles. These women were way ahead of their time and never gave up on their dream.
The book has an abundant amount of pictures that show the women as pilots and going through the tests they had to take. While reading the book one can see how time passes by the picture going from black and white to color. The text seems as though reading a tale of women heroines on a mission to make it to space. It is well researched and has a bibliography of all the sources used. In addition, curator by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum which makes it a more legitimate story. The author also includes a section in which she explains the process she took in order to write this book. A real nice touch was the letter from Lyndon B. Johnson that stated how the program needed to be stopped.
The story developed through the use of articles, books, scientific papers, audio recordings, video tapes, and of course interviews with many individuals including some of the original mercury 13 women. The author credits all those that helped her in during the research phase and one can see that this book has a lot of information and all is cited. I really wish this would become a movie it is presented in a way that keeps the reader entertained while stating facts.
Review Excerpts
Kelly, Jacqueline. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. ISBN 0805088415
Hoose, Phillip. Colvin: Twice Toward Justice. ISBN 0374313229
Stone, T. L. (2009). Almost astronauts: 13 women who dared to dream. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763636118
Plot Summary
Russia and the United States are in an arms race to see who can advance more in space research and development. The rumor is that Russia is planning on sending women into space. Lovelace a chairman in the NASA committee has an idea to find a group of women that can possibly become astronauts. In comes Jerrie Cobb an outstanding pilot and talented in every way, but her gender turns out to be the only thing standing in her way. Destiny puts Lovelace in her path and a journey begins that will affect the lives of many women. Lovelace was a man involved in NASA affairs and believed that women could do the same job men could do and even save the space program money. Due to Cobb’s resume he offered her an opportunity to prove society wrong by taking upon the same tests the mercury 7 men took to become astronauts.
Cobb jumped at the opportunity and passed all the tests with flying colors. She and the women that followed paved the way for women to have the same opportunities as men in this profession. They had to go through many obstacles, but these ladies did not budge. Cobb was able to complete phase three, but sadly the some of the others were not able to attempt the other set of exams. Many opposed the program and it came to a halt, but the women had already made a great impact that led many others to follow in their footsteps. A flash forward shows how even though these women were not able to go up into space they helped make history and were able to see the first woman astronaut launch into space.
Critical Analysis
Tanya Lee Stone’s book Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream is a must read. During the 1950s thirteen women took it upon themselves to prove society how a woman can do a man’s job. It was a time in which women were oppressed and had to follow certain social ordeals. These women paved the way for future generations to excel in a profession which was classified as a man’s job. They were made to pass rigorous tests and were seen as outcast for not following gender roles. These women were way ahead of their time and never gave up on their dream.
The book has an abundant amount of pictures that show the women as pilots and going through the tests they had to take. While reading the book one can see how time passes by the picture going from black and white to color. The text seems as though reading a tale of women heroines on a mission to make it to space. It is well researched and has a bibliography of all the sources used. In addition, curator by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum which makes it a more legitimate story. The author also includes a section in which she explains the process she took in order to write this book. A real nice touch was the letter from Lyndon B. Johnson that stated how the program needed to be stopped.
The story developed through the use of articles, books, scientific papers, audio recordings, video tapes, and of course interviews with many individuals including some of the original mercury 13 women. The author credits all those that helped her in during the research phase and one can see that this book has a lot of information and all is cited. I really wish this would become a movie it is presented in a way that keeps the reader entertained while stating facts.
Review Excerpts
- Flora Stieglitz Straus Award (2010)
- Jane Addams Children's Book Award Nominee for Older Children (2010)
- Review in PUBLISHERSWEEKLY: “Readers with an interest in history and in women's struggle for equality will undoubtedly be moved.”
- Review in KIRKUS: “Handsomely illustrated with photographs, this empowering story will leave readers inspired.”
- Sibert Medal (2010)
- YALSA Award Nominee for Excellence in Nonfiction (2010)
Connections
Great book to integrate into history lesson. The book lends itself for on open discussion on politics, women's rights, and even civil rights. Books similar to this:
Great book to integrate into history lesson. The book lends itself for on open discussion on politics, women's rights, and even civil rights. Books similar to this:
Kelly, Jacqueline. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. ISBN 0805088415
Hoose, Phillip. Colvin: Twice Toward Justice. ISBN 0374313229
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