The First Moon Landing (Events That Shaped America)

Describes the first lunar landing, including key figures in the project and the important technological advances made following the program.

Grade 3-6 The first book is neither interesting nor informative. The text plods along, and the drawings are mostly dark and drab. Various aspects of the history of moon exploration are touched on, but there is no substantive discussion. Also, the illustrations and text boxes don't always mesh. Bus Boycott wanders aimlessly. It, too, is quite wordy, but simplistic in its language and ideas. Very few facts are included. For example, a lawyer is mentioned, but who was he? Bombs exploded in black churches does not give the true nature of the tragedy. The illustrations are static, and the images of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks bear little resemblance to the real people. There is not enough information here for reports, and the unattractive art is unlikely to draw graphic-novel fans. Ronnie Gordon, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
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