June 3, 2012
Almost Astronauts: 13 Woment Who Dared to Dream
By Tanya Lee Stone: Candlewick, 2009, brilliance Audio. 2009. Narrated by Susan Erickson. Reviewed from audiobook provided by Brilliance Audio. Nonfiction, Young Adult. Finalist for YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award.
2010 Finalists
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream
By Tanya Lee Stone, published by Candlewick. (9780763636111).
In the early 1960s, the doctor in charge of testing NASA’s astronauts decided to find out if female pilots were capable of passing the grueling qualification tests required of male pilots. Feasible? Yes. Allowed? No. All testing of women’s potential for the Mercury program was done outside NASA’s purview and without their permission. The reasons why will stun readers.
Annotation:
The world was not divided into those who had it and those who didn't. The idea was to prove that you are one of the elected and anointed ones who had the right. When NASA was formed in 1958, the pressure was just to beat Russians in the space race. A team was formed of seven male test jet pilots who were rigorously tested to determine whether they had the right qualities. They we called the Mercury7. Apparently, they passed all the rigorous physical tests. However other qualified pilots who are as well experts were isolated. These thirteen women were not admitted to NASA;s space program in early 1960s. Officially, because of discrimination or call it prejudices you be the judge.Justification for Nomination:
Stone tells the fascinating, dramatic true story of the "Mercury 13," a group of women aviators who proved to be as courageous, intellignet, and fit as any man to handle Astronauts piloting. However, these women were discriminated because of their gender. This uncall discrimination gone on until when visionaries Randolph Lovelace, a physician who tested the Mercury 7 astronauts, determined to prove that, women are as capable as men meet the demands of space travel. Beginning with Jerrie Cobb, a tob female pilot, a total of these 13 women allowed to be tested by Dr. Lovelace. Lovelace's theme of including women in the space program is to provide equality for all. I wasn't aware nonfiction could be so interesting until I read this book. I had no idea that any of the events with those 13 women even had occurred. I found their journey to be reaaly amazing and captivating. I really enjoyed how the author not only include their journey, but also the aftermath of it. The author had included information, which help the reader to understand what women of time were facing. I even read couple of phrases that said, women could not even rent the car. One is left with nothing other than expressing appreciation to these women for pathing the way for future female astronauts. I also appreciate that, the author had focused on their accomplishment rather than their family and hoppies.
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