Awards

• Commended for Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards (Nonfiction) 2009
• Commended for Grand Canyon Reader Award (Tween Nonfiction) 2014
• Winner of Bank Street College Flora Stieglitz Straus Award 2010 (United States)
• Winner of Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book, Nonfiction 2009 (United States)
• Winner of Children's Book Committee Award (Nonfiction) 2010
• Winner of Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award 2010
• Winner of Robert F. Sibert Medal.

Overview

They had the right stuff. They defied the prejudices of the time. And they blazed a trail for generations of women to follow.What does it take to be an astronaut? Mastery at flying, courage, intelligence, resistance to stress, being in top shape - any checklist would certainly include these. But when America created NASA in 1958, there was another unspoken rule: you had to be a man. Here is the tale of thirteen women who not only proved that they were as tough as the toughest man, but were brave enough to challenge the government. Their passage to space was blocked by prejudice, by jealousy, by the scrawled note of one of the most powerful men in Washington. But, in the end, they did not lose, for their inspiring example empowered young women to take their rightful place in the sky, piloting jets and commanding space capsules that could bring human beings to distant planets. ""Almost Astronauts"" is the story of thirteen true pioneers of the space age.

Full Product Details

9780763636111

Table of Contents

Reviews

Stone's carefully researched book makes the point that in the 1950s and '60s there were '13 women who... had the Right Stuff' - but were the wrong sex at the wrong time.--New York Times Book Review This passionately written account of a classic but little-known challenge to established gender prejudices also introduces readers to a select group of courageous, independent women.--School Library Journal (starred review) Fascinating, dramatic storyi1/2The author offers great insight into how deeply ingrained sexism was in merican society and its institutions. Handsomely illustrated with photographs, this empowering, impassioned story will leave readers inspired.--Kirkus (starred review) Stone presents the full story of early-sixties public discourse about women's capabilities and clearly shows the personal, political, and physical risks taken by the women in pursuit of their dream.--The Horn Book (starred review) The chatty, immediate style ( Picture this ) and full-page photos make for a fast read, and the crucial civil-rights history will stay with readers.--Booklist An inspiring if heartbreaking true story of grit, persistence, and determination.--ForeWord magazine

Stone's carefully researched book makes the point that in the 1950s and '60s there were '13 women who... had the Right Stuff' - but were the wrong sex at the wrong time.--New York Times Book Review This passionately written account of a classic but little-known challenge to established gender prejudices also introduces readers to a select group of courageous, independent women.--School Library Journal (starred review) Fascinating, dramatic story...The author offers great insight into how deeply ingrained sexism was in merican society and its institutions. Handsomely illustrated with photographs, this empowering, impassioned story will leave readers inspired.--Kirkus (starred review) Stone presents the full story of early-sixties public discourse about women's capabilities and clearly shows the personal, political, and physical risks taken by the women in pursuit of their dream.--The Horn Book (starred review) The chatty, immediate style ( Picture this ) and full-page photos make for a fast read, and the crucial civil-rights history will stay with readers.--Booklist An inspiring if heartbreaking true story of grit, persistence, and determination.--ForeWord magazine

Author Information

Tanya Lee Stone is a former editor and award-winning author who often writes about strong women. She has garnered starred reviews and other accolades for books such as Up Close: Ella Fitzgerald and the highly popular Amelia Earhart. She lives in Vermont.

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