Rockets

Children's Literature - Joella Peterson

Rockets is part of the "Exploring Space" series. This book focuses on the history of rockets and how they have (and still do) impact the world. After defining what a rocket is—including some great photographs of fireworks, which are a type of rocket—the book explains the various parts of a rocket (with numbers corresponding to the various parts) and how they all work together. One of the greatest contributors to the modern rocket is Wernher von Braun. The book explains his background growing up in Germany and how he helped to develop missiles for the German forces in World War II. Then it also tells how von Braun moved to the United States and became part of NASA. His success allowed NASA to send rockets (with people in them) not only to space, but all the way to the moon. This is a good resource for a simple explanation of what rockets are and the continued importance that rockets play in the every day life of millions of people around the world. Also included is a glossary, index, list of websites, a "daily schedule" of someone in space, comprehension test for readers, and a list of "further resources," which is simply a list of "key" words for the reader to research at his or her local library. Reviewer: Joella Peterson