John Glenn: Space Pioneer

Children's Literature

As he looked out of his capsule window, Astronaut John Glenn saw sparkling particles of moisture. As he watched in amazement and made history, little did he know that 36 years later he would be making history again. Carmen Bredeson's book about one of the most recognized names in space travel covers John Glenn's amazing life, as the first man to orbit the earth and then the oldest man in space. Bredeson's book is a good mix of talking about John Glenn and the development and growth of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). While the focus of the book is on John Glenn's space travel, Bredeson delves into his early years and his time as a United States senator. The small balloons of facts and the breakaway sections add to a great story. In addition to the story, there is a timeline, and web resources are included. This book is a good addition to any elementary school classroom and could even be used to introduce a unit on space travel. 2000, The Millbrook Press Inc., Ages 8 to 15, $22.90. Reviewer: John D. Orsborn