Overview
John Glenn made history once again on October 29, 1998, when he rocketed into space aboard the shuttle Discovery as the world’s oldest astronaut at the age of 77. Thirty-six years earlier, in 1962, he became a national hero as the first American to orbit the earth. Glenn began his career as a military pilot, serving in World War II and Korea. He worked as a Marine test pilot for several years, and first achieved fame when he broke the transcontinental speed record in 1957. Glenn also enjoyed a successful business career and served four terms in the U.S. Senate--all the while planning to someday return to space. Author Tom Streissguth tells the story of this remarkable man, who devoted his life to serving his country with courage and determination.Synopsis
John Glenn made history once again on October 29, 1998, when he rocketed into space aboard the shuttle Discovery as the world s oldest astronaut at the age of 77. Thirty-six years earlier, in 1962, he became a national hero as the first American to orbit the earth. Glenn began his career as a military pilot, serving in World War II and Korea. He worked as a Marine test pilot for several years, and first achieved fame when he broke the transcontinental speed record in 1957. Glenn also enjoyed a successful business career and served four terms in the U.S. Senate--all the while planning to someday return to space. Author Tom Streissguth tells the story of this remarkable man, who devoted his life to serving his country with courage and determination.
Children's Literature
John Glenn returned to his space exploration adventures as a senior citizen and the news that it generated should pique kids' interest. This book ranges from Glenn's childhood in 1920's Ohio when his interest in space exploration first began, to his 1968 historic flight, a seat in the Senate, and finally his flight on Discovery in 1998. Interspersed throughout are actual photographs and a few illustrations, charts, and graphs. Although this book is relevant and relates to today's space program, older intermediate reader may have difficulty sustaining interest through the book's ten chapters. Black-and-white photographs, extensive text, and a disconnection with anyone born seventy years ago may all prove to be negative aspects of this book. Ideal for report writing, it seems a little stiff for recreational reading. The book was developed in conjunction with the cable station A&E and their biography series--the sixty-minute television show may be more apt to grab kids attention than the book.