Review: The Space Adventurer's Guide: Your Passport to the Coolest Things to See and Do in the Universe by Peter McMahon

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

It's not just astronauts who get to travel into space anymore. Forward-thinking entrepreneurs have now made space flight a reality for adventure-seekers of all kinds. And just in time, here's a travel guide for kids to plan their own out-of-this-world journeys. Eight potential space vacations are described, one per chapter, complete with information about pre-trip preparations (like training to withstand extreme g-forces), accommodations and dining (hot dogs in zero gravity, anyone?), awesome activities (how about a real moon walk?) and so much more. The trips range from orbiting Earth (available now), to voyaging through Saturn's rings, which may be possible within the next few decades. Featuring the coolest things to see and do in the universe, these space vacations are not to be missed! Award-winning science journalist Peter McMahon has come up with an intriguing concept sure to pique a young reader's interest in all things outer space. Based on the latest science and featuring first-person accounts from experts in the field, this book is chock-full of opportunities for science and technology lessons. With kid-sized bursts of text (including loads of amazing, and sometimes icky, facts), fascinating photographs of everyday life on actual space flights, as well as fun-filled illustrations from Josh Holinaty, this hugely appealing book is also one that children will gladly pick up on their own --- and devour. A glossary and index are included.

MY TAKE:
Growing up, I was fascinated with space, and my son has been showing an inclination to science as well, so I thought this book would be a good one to try.

This book is meant for children much older than my son, but I think he'll like it a lot once he's old enough to understand the book.

The book contains details about things like astronaut and space tourist training. There are also designated chapters for hypothetical/theoretical/actual trips to places like sub-orbit, orbit, the moon, comets, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. At the start of each chapter, you learn things like how far that destination is, how long the trip will take, and when you can go. The chapters also have sections like Space Tour Insider and Things to Do, and sometimes there are quotes from astronauts as well. The description of the flight is actually my favorite part of each chapter. You really get the sense that you're already there.

I also loved reading about life on the International Space Station and what life could be like on board space cruise ships.

There's a mix of photos and illustrations for each chapter. I'm not a big fan of the layout, but it's not that big of a deal.

There's a large amount of interesting information here, so it's probably a good idea to read this book a few chapters at a time so kids won't get overwhelmed or bored easily.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Try spotting stars out the windows. (They actually twinkle less up here because there's a lot less atmosphere to cause that twinkling we see on Earth.)

RATING:

SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Book Depository