Astronauts : Life Exploring Outer Space

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-These informative books do not glorify these exciting careers-instead they outline the steps it would take to actually enter these professions. Hayhurst's book briefly covers the history of space travel, touches on space colonization, and profiles a couple of astronauts. The author also makes it clear that to become an astronaut requires a great deal of education and training, and carries many physical demands. Manley presents the history of espionage and considers real-life spies such as Nathan Hale along with the cinematic James Bond. She discusses the types of intelligence (strategic, tactical, and counterintelligence) and how it is collected and delivered. Readers also learn that secret agents must have a college education, learn foreign languages, and be recruited by an intelligence agency, such as the FBI or CIA. She provides the addresses of "fantasy camps" that could help children decide if this is a career for them. The colorful illustrations in both titles add to the attractiveness of the layout. Both of these high-interest books will appeal to browsers and reluctant readers.-Kay Bowes, Concord Pike Library, Wilmington, DE Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.