The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
ali_brarian's review against another edition
5.0
1.) John Glenn is a terrible person.
2.) Jackie Cochran is also a terrible person who should never be allowed to represent women because she betrayed the advancement of women when she testified against Jerrie Cobb and the other women of "Mercury 13."
3.) President, then Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson is a terrible person and although I never had one before he is now my Least Favorite President. When presented with the ideas of women and minorities going into space his only response was "Let's stop this now!" If only John F. Kennedy were never assassinated, the women of Mercury 13 may have been allowed to actually pilot a spacecraft in the '70s, not the late '90s. Also, the U.S. would have had the first woman in space considering Russia's first woman in space just sat in the cockpit, and even told Jerrie Cobb that she was her inspiration. Your inspiration is a woman who exceeded all of the tests to be an astronaut that men took, but then was never allowed to even sit in on a mission to space let alone pilot a spacecraft. Nice.
4.) NASA should be ashamed.
I am now going to research how to become an astronaut. But you should read this book if you like space or women's rights, or basically learning about events in history that you have never heard of before a la Devil in the White City. It will amaze, astound, inspire and infuriate you, in a good way.
2.) Jackie Cochran is also a terrible person who should never be allowed to represent women because she betrayed the advancement of women when she testified against Jerrie Cobb and the other women of "Mercury 13."
3.) President, then Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson is a terrible person and although I never had one before he is now my Least Favorite President. When presented with the ideas of women and minorities going into space his only response was "Let's stop this now!" If only John F. Kennedy were never assassinated, the women of Mercury 13 may have been allowed to actually pilot a spacecraft in the '70s, not the late '90s. Also, the U.S. would have had the first woman in space considering Russia's first woman in space just sat in the cockpit, and even told Jerrie Cobb that she was her inspiration. Your inspiration is a woman who exceeded all of the tests to be an astronaut that men took, but then was never allowed to even sit in on a mission to space let alone pilot a spacecraft. Nice.
4.) NASA should be ashamed.
I am now going to research how to become an astronaut. But you should read this book if you like space or women's rights, or basically learning about events in history that you have never heard of before a la Devil in the White City. It will amaze, astound, inspire and infuriate you, in a good way.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
5.0
Review: In Almost Astronauts, Tanya Lee Stone provides a look into the lives of some heroic women. Stone opens the curtains and lets the light shine in on the ugliness of discrimination in the early days of the space program. I knew that women had limited rights for many years, but had no idea that women couldn't rent cars or get loans without a man's signature even into the '60s. Some of the indignities that the women faced were astounding. It reminded me of Wheels of Change in that I kept being amazed at comments from the men in power who wanted to maintain the status quo. So many people were unwilling to work for change. Stone points to those who tried to help, but also reveals the names of those standing in the way. I appreciated learning about these women who stepped forward and endured grueling tests and workouts in their attempts to prove themselves worthy of being astronauts.
What moved me was that I am the beneficiary of their blood, sweat and tears. As a child I did my biography report on Amelia Earhart. I dreamed of becoming a pilot. I also entertained the idea of becoming an astronaut. It never occurred to me that I could not do that, but before these women made their stand, it wouldn't have even been a remote possibility. When an astronaut came to my school in the 80s with a space suit for us to see, Sally Ride has already made her first trip. I changed my mind about careers plenty of times so I did not pursue space travel, but I am glad that they opened the way for us so that at least it is a choice young women could make.
This will be a perfect book to use with our upper grade students as they read fiction and non-fiction about the issue of discrimination. Stone delivers the information with passion and she moved me to tears on several occasions. I will not forget these women.
Original review published at Reading Through Life http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2013/06/review-almost-astronauts.html
What moved me was that I am the beneficiary of their blood, sweat and tears. As a child I did my biography report on Amelia Earhart. I dreamed of becoming a pilot. I also entertained the idea of becoming an astronaut. It never occurred to me that I could not do that, but before these women made their stand, it wouldn't have even been a remote possibility. When an astronaut came to my school in the 80s with a space suit for us to see, Sally Ride has already made her first trip. I changed my mind about careers plenty of times so I did not pursue space travel, but I am glad that they opened the way for us so that at least it is a choice young women could make.
This will be a perfect book to use with our upper grade students as they read fiction and non-fiction about the issue of discrimination. Stone delivers the information with passion and she moved me to tears on several occasions. I will not forget these women.
Original review published at Reading Through Life http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2013/06/review-almost-astronauts.html
shighley's review against another edition
4.0
I kept asking myself, "Why have I never heard any of this before?" In addition to sharing information about the space program, it provides a historical context for the "place" of women in American Society. These women were robbed!
librariann's review against another edition
5.0
Listen, I do not want to insinuate that I am a Lady Stereotype, all boo-hooing in my hankie every time I encounter some emotionally charged stimulus. ESPECIALLY after reading about how women have been historically perceived. Fact: I am not that kind of Lady. I spent much of my own child-and-young-adulthood making fun of my mother for crying at commercials and Lifetime movies of the week.
But this book about the women who were denied the opportunity to even TRY to be U.S. astronauts by the social mores of the 1960s made me cry TWICE. I don't think that's bad feminism. Truthfully, I think it's the especially good kind.
Pair it with Flygirl by Sherri Smith.
But this book about the women who were denied the opportunity to even TRY to be U.S. astronauts by the social mores of the 1960s made me cry TWICE. I don't think that's bad feminism. Truthfully, I think it's the especially good kind.
Pair it with Flygirl by Sherri Smith.
misspentdays's review against another edition
Almost Astronauts brings to light the story of the first set of women tested to the NASA standards of the day. Despite having candidates that out-performed the male team, these women were not allowed to join NASA.
By using interviews and articles of the time, Almost Astronauts not only provides inspiring examples of talented women, but also introduces the reader to the unequal situation women were in not so long ago. These are women who were already forging careers in the highly male field of aviation and who were excellent at their job. Their willingness to forge ahead despite the odds inspires readers to move forward on their dreams, even if they are a long shot.
The book includes photos and cartoons of the time interspersed with the text. This divides up the reading and makes it feel less challenging for reluctant readers. The writing itself is engaging and fast paced. The author also uses relatively short chapters to keep the interest of the reader. This book is aimed at middle and high school aged readers, and Tanya Lee Stone doesn't forget the age of the reader while she writes, keeping the vocabulary and structure on level.
A winner of multiple awards, including the Sibert Medal and the Jane Addams Book Award, Almost Astronauts is a must have for middle school libraries and public libraries. It provides an excellent look at women in STEM and a dose of inspiration.
By using interviews and articles of the time, Almost Astronauts not only provides inspiring examples of talented women, but also introduces the reader to the unequal situation women were in not so long ago. These are women who were already forging careers in the highly male field of aviation and who were excellent at their job. Their willingness to forge ahead despite the odds inspires readers to move forward on their dreams, even if they are a long shot.
The book includes photos and cartoons of the time interspersed with the text. This divides up the reading and makes it feel less challenging for reluctant readers. The writing itself is engaging and fast paced. The author also uses relatively short chapters to keep the interest of the reader. This book is aimed at middle and high school aged readers, and Tanya Lee Stone doesn't forget the age of the reader while she writes, keeping the vocabulary and structure on level.
A winner of multiple awards, including the Sibert Medal and the Jane Addams Book Award, Almost Astronauts is a must have for middle school libraries and public libraries. It provides an excellent look at women in STEM and a dose of inspiration.
drpschmidt's review against another edition
5.0
Truly for middle readers, but amazing nonetheless! I guess I am lucky that I live now and not then, AND that I was never really pursuing a field that was decidedly 'male-dominated'. That said, it was interesting to read and consider the true meaning of the word 'hero'. I am in awe of these women and their tenacity! Share this with your young female children/students!!!
rjozinga's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! The story of 13 women who tried to become astronauts in 1958. Led by Jerrie Cobb, the Mercury 13 went through rigorous testing to ensure that they were capable of becoming astronauts. Unfortunately, at that time, NASA was a "boys club" and not ready to let in women. This book details the tests they went through as well as their congressional hearing to gain acceptance into the astronaut program. While non of these women ever made it into space, they paved the way for future women astronauts and proved they were just as capable as men. This book contains beautiful photos as well as a great narrative style that tells the facts, yet reads like a story. As someone who is not a huge fan of space, this book made me completely forget I was reading about astronauts and focus on the fight these women had to go through. This book will appeal to girls, especially those who prefer things and activities more geared toward boys. I would recommend it for ages 11 to 16.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
In 1960, the Space Race was all the rage and astronauts were American heroes. They were also men. Enter Jerrie Cobb and the rest of the "Mercury 13". In the early '60s, 13 women took and passed the same physical and psychological tests that men took to qualify for NASA's astronaut training program. But the "Mercury 13" women were not allowed to become astronauts, despite the fact that they were expert pilots. In fact, no woman went into space until Sally Ride did in 1983 and even then she didn't pilot the ship.
Almost Astronauts tells the story of the extraordinary women who fought for their right to make history, to go into space as qualified, talented astronauts. Many photos accompany the text and the book includes an extensive bibliography. This is a great choice for units on women's history or space and I think it should be required reading for all young women.
Almost Astronauts tells the story of the extraordinary women who fought for their right to make history, to go into space as qualified, talented astronauts. Many photos accompany the text and the book includes an extensive bibliography. This is a great choice for units on women's history or space and I think it should be required reading for all young women.
panda_incognito's review against another edition
4.0
This photo-illustrated nonfiction book for children tells the little-known story of thirteen women who underwent the same tests as male astronauts, sometimes did even better than the men, but never had the chance to go to space. Author Tanya Lee Stone says that these women had âthe Right Stuff at the Wrong Time,â and educates children about the sexist norms that created such tremendous social and political barriers to womenâs spaceflight. She includes lots of fascinating photo reproductions, and at the end, she shares stories from future women who were able to participate in and even lead spaceflights.
I found this book very eye-opening. I was already familiar with this chapter of space history from [b:Moonbound: Apollo 11 and the Dream of Spaceflight|41940282|Moonbound Apollo 11 and the Dream of Spaceflight|Jonathan Fetter-Vorm|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1552507903l/41940282._SX50_.jpg|65424898], an adult graphic novel, and it intrigued me to learn more about the individual women, their experiences, and the challenges that they faced. I think that the author sometimes went too far in her claims about womenâs abilities, since she was writing about specific women with exceptional physical and mental strength, but even though some of her sweeping statements would not apply to the general population of women, many women are capable of amazing physical feats, and those who are interested in spaceflight and other demanding enterprises should be evaluated fairly and have equal opportunity to men.
This book would be a great choice for kids who are interested in space and aeronautics, and would be an excellent addition to a school unit about the Space Race. I would also recommend this to adults who are interested in learning more about forgotten and overlooked women in STEM fields, and it could start lots of great conversations between kids and adults as they evaluate the challenges that the different women faced, how they responded to their deeply unfair circumstances, and how the differences between men and women played out in this situation.
For example, one of the reasons why a man tried to champion female astronauts is because he knew they would be much cheaper for the United States to send to space, simply because women tend to be smaller and lighter. Also, the text repeatedly notes that the women not only excelled at the physical and mental tests they underwent, but also complained much less than the men. This raises interesting questions. Did they complain less because they knew how much was riding on this, and didnât want to give the testers any reason to criticize them? Are women generally more flexible and less complaining than men, or is this based in how they are socialized?
This book raises lots of interesting questions, and avoids providing dogmatic answers. The story is complex and nuanced, and even though the author sends a very clear message against sexism and unfair limitations against women, she manages to write this story without being preachy, and covers the different complexities of the situation without painting anyone with an overly broad brush. I found this very interesting, well-written, and educational, and am glad that I had the chance to read it.
I found this book very eye-opening. I was already familiar with this chapter of space history from [b:Moonbound: Apollo 11 and the Dream of Spaceflight|41940282|Moonbound Apollo 11 and the Dream of Spaceflight|Jonathan Fetter-Vorm|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1552507903l/41940282._SX50_.jpg|65424898], an adult graphic novel, and it intrigued me to learn more about the individual women, their experiences, and the challenges that they faced. I think that the author sometimes went too far in her claims about womenâs abilities, since she was writing about specific women with exceptional physical and mental strength, but even though some of her sweeping statements would not apply to the general population of women, many women are capable of amazing physical feats, and those who are interested in spaceflight and other demanding enterprises should be evaluated fairly and have equal opportunity to men.
This book would be a great choice for kids who are interested in space and aeronautics, and would be an excellent addition to a school unit about the Space Race. I would also recommend this to adults who are interested in learning more about forgotten and overlooked women in STEM fields, and it could start lots of great conversations between kids and adults as they evaluate the challenges that the different women faced, how they responded to their deeply unfair circumstances, and how the differences between men and women played out in this situation.
For example, one of the reasons why a man tried to champion female astronauts is because he knew they would be much cheaper for the United States to send to space, simply because women tend to be smaller and lighter. Also, the text repeatedly notes that the women not only excelled at the physical and mental tests they underwent, but also complained much less than the men. This raises interesting questions. Did they complain less because they knew how much was riding on this, and didnât want to give the testers any reason to criticize them? Are women generally more flexible and less complaining than men, or is this based in how they are socialized?
This book raises lots of interesting questions, and avoids providing dogmatic answers. The story is complex and nuanced, and even though the author sends a very clear message against sexism and unfair limitations against women, she manages to write this story without being preachy, and covers the different complexities of the situation without painting anyone with an overly broad brush. I found this very interesting, well-written, and educational, and am glad that I had the chance to read it.