No, I did not read every word... I'm just not quite that interested in the subject. But the thing is, I was trying just to page through this for a group read, and I kept getting sucked in to reading more closely. Important, fascinating, beautiful. ( )

This is a stunning visual book about the Apollo 11 landing, the author tells the story of all the people who worked tirelessly to make sure that the mission was completed successfully. The individual stories are exciting, the images of the moon, the people and the tools used to get there make it feel very important and amazing. ( )

Aspects and work needed to launch a spacecraft, descend, moon walk, ascend and reenter the Earth's atmosphere by 400,000 people working together. Curriculum tie-in: Michael Collins Nutmeg Nominee 2022 book, Portable Life Support System (PLSS) backpack made by Hamilton Sundstrand in CT, engineering, STEM

A quick, accessible look at the complexity of planning the first manned mission to the moon. There's not much more to say about this one, really. ( )

This account of the almost unbelievable effort it took to land the Apollo 11 astronauts on the Moon grips the reader from the start by quoting the speech that President Nixon had been prepared to give in the event that Armstrong and Aldrin died in the attempt. ("Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace.... ") There is a lot of text, but that text is dramatic, quoting dozens of the participants on Apollo's massive backstage, both well-known and obscure; It is lavishly illustrated with photographs, and beautifully designed. A treat in the last several pages is snapshots of the people who are quoted in the book. Although the publisher states that the book is for older elementary students, like Almost Astronauts, I think it's suitable and fascinating for older kids and even adults; there are several pages of notes and bibliography at the end to inspire further research. ( )