Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Thimmesh, Catherine. 2006. TEAM MOON: HOW 400,000 PEOPLE LANDED APOLLO 11 ON THE MOON. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0618174974

PLOT SUMMARY
This book takes the reader through the series of preparations, actions, struggles, and triumphs that were all a part of the Apollo 11 mission that first put a man on the moon. Supported by several quotes from those involved, this historic account begins with the world watching the mission on television, then it takes readers back through the process of getting there, highlighting the years of work and accomplishments of all the behind-the-scenes workers.

These are the people who built the spacecraft and its many parts, designed the suits that protected the astronauts, ensured superb photography on the moon, tested each aspect of the flight, and developed protocol for any triggered alarm. The book also covers the work of the people who conducted research about the moon, those who anticipated equipment failure and found solutions, even the people in Australia who worked on the satellite in dangerous conditions in order for the world to see this spectacular moment in history. Readers also learn about the people who worked to keep “moon germs” contained, and those who kept in constant communication with Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins throughout the entire journey. It truly took 400,000 people to make sure Apollo 11 made it to the moon and back to Earth safely.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Thimmesh offers readers a complete look at what went on behind-the-scenes with the Apollo 11 mission. In the many sections of this book, readers can feel as if they were a part of this amazing accomplishment, reading about the processes taken by everyone involved and experiencing the raw emotions of the workers through direct quotes placed intermittently throughout the pages. The author uses, and briefly explains, a lot of NASA jargon that may leave some readers confused at times, however the stories told will hold their interest as they continue reading.

The fantastic photographs on every page are one of the strongest aspects of this book, providing visual support to the words and amazing readers with their clear detail and beauty in combination with their awesome content. Most of the pictures are accompanied by a very detailed caption that describes the picture, discusses the context of the moment it was taken, and even includes the equipment used to take the photograph. The pictures really enrich the experience of the reader, allowing them to feel as if they were part of the crowd watching the moon landing along with the rest of the world back in 1969. NASA provided the majority of these photographs, with a few exceptions provided by individuals.

A comprehensive bibliography is found at the end, as well as a helpful index and glossary. The author has also provided readers interested in learning more with great resources, including websites, DVD titles, and basic information about other Apollo missions. This well-designed and highly interesting book would be a great addition to any collection, offering older readers the chance to relive their own experience watching the Apollo 11 mission and younger readers the opportunity to learn about this “giant leap for mankind.”

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
ALA Notable Book for Children, 2007
ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 2007
Texas Bluebonnet Honor Book, 2008
Starred Review in PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “This behind-the-scenes look at the first Apollo moon landing has the feel of a public television documentary in its breadth and detail.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “authoritative tribute to the collective effort that left ...footprints, crisp and clear, pressed purposefully and magnificently into the lunar dust belongs in every collection”
HORN BOOK: “a spectacular and highly original addition to the literature of space exploration”
Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "This beautiful and well-documented tribute will introduce a new generation to that triumphant time."

CONNECTIONS
*Read aloud the accounts in this book throughout a unit on astronomy or the solar system. This book can be broken up into sections, each one about a different aspect of Apollo 11’s journey.
*If short on time, teachers can use smaller pieces of this book that pertain directly to their learning objectives.
*Use this book in a study about several missions to the moon or in space.
*Use the fantastic pictures to supplement a lesson about the moon.


Other books about the moon and space travel:

Hehner, Barbara. 1999. FIRST ON THE MOON : WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN MAN LANDED ON THE MOON. Ill. By Greg Ruhl. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786804890

McNulty, Faith. 2005. IF YOU DECIDE TO GO TO THE MOON. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0590483595

Orme, Helen. 2007. LET’S EXPLORE THE MOON. Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens. ISBN 0836879430

Other subjects in the “Let’s Explore” series include:
The Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Beyond