First sentence: Three, two, one--blastoff! With a great roar, the Apollo 11 rocket lifted off the ground. Flames and smoke poured from its base as it started its dangerous journey to the Moon. President John F. Kennedy had promised an American would reach the Moon before the end of the 1960s. The astronauts could make history!

Premise/plot: This is a nonfiction book for young, independent readers. It focuses on one mission of the space race in the 1960s--the flight of Apollo 11. The last chapter--the fourth chapter--gives a brief summary of later missions.

My thoughts: Is this the most compelling, engaging book for young readers about the space race, about Apollo 11? No. Not really. It's good; solid; basic. But I've read other books--including some picture books--that do a better job of telling this specific story. This one blends photographs AND illustrations. ( )

629.4

629.45