In 1968, astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders were training for their mission to orbit Earth when they learned that their planned flight had been changed. With only 16 weeks to prepare, they would be circling the moon instead. This young readers edition of Kluger's Apollo 8: The Thrilling Story of the First Mission to the Moon (2017) briefly traces Borman's career, before focusing on those 16 weeks of specialized training and the memorable six-day journey. Full of details, this account of the astronauts' experiences gives readers the sense that they're along for the ride, keenly aware of the physical challenges of space flight, but sharing moments of awestruck wonder as well. After explaining the backdrop of the Space Race, Kluger tells the main story with a good balance of technological details and human-interest narratives, including the scenes of the astronauts' families during the long, tense days between liftoff and splashdown. Illustrations (some not seen) include photos and diagrams. An engaging, informative account of the Apollo 8 mission.

With Ruby Shamir. Kluger's comprehensive account of the December 1968 Apollo 8 mission to orbit the moon engagingly captures the mission's excitement for a new generation of readers. He successfully integrates snippets of the astronauts' personal lives with space travel science and daily details from their mission, set against the historical context of the American space program and the Cold War. Diagrams and photos appended. Glos., ind.

Gr 5-9 Kluger provides an appealing and informative account of the first mission to circle the moon. While preparing for a different mission, astronaut Frank Borman received a call wherein he was told he will be orbiting the moon. The book then delves into a detailed account of the preparation and the exciting mission itself. Readers learn of the astronauts' impression of the moon, the beautiful and significant photograph of Earth they were able to takethe famous Earthrise and their transmitted reading from the Book of Genesis. The human angle is also presented as the personal lives of the astronautsBorman, James Lovell, and William Andersand the trials of their anxious families are recounted. Black-and-white photos of the astronauts and the spaceships are included. VERDICT This engaging work will appeal to those with a keen interest in America's space program who have enjoyed other books on the topic, such as Andrew Chaikin's Mission Control, This Is Apollo: The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon . Margaret Nunes, Gwinnett County Public Library, GA