The Space Race
Teacher Resources

The Space Race: How the Cold War Put Humans on the Moon

Illustrated by Sam Carbaugh
What do you see when you look up at the night sky? The potential for amazing discoveries and scientific advancement? During the 1950s and 60s, some people also saw a place that needed to be claimed. In The Space Race: How the Cold War Put Humans on the Moon, middle school students will explore the bitter rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union that served as fuel for the fire that catapulted rockets into the great unknown of the next frontier-space. While Neil Armstrong will always be remembered as the first person to set foot on the moon, the people and events behind this accomplishment populate a fascinating tale of politics, science, technology, and teamwork that resulted in what might be the greatest accomplishment of the twentieth century.
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Reviews

School Library Connection
"Many students these days have only a vague impression about the space race, their facts gleaned from watching movies like October Sky and Apollo 13. This book fills in the gaps surrounding the space race, the Cold War, and the technological advancements of the times in an informative and entertaining way. The text clearly lays out the political and scientific goals of the space race and includes many QR codes that link students to primary and secondary sources. The introduction and each of the six chapters start with a central question and include sidebars, comic strips, vocabulary, and a concluding assignment. Few students will probably pick this title up on their own, which is a shame as it is well-written and engaging. This would be a great resource for a multi-disciplinary unit. Some of the QR codes would not work within our district firewall on the “guest” account, but I’m sure that could be overcome if the book was being used as part of a unit. Give this book to social studies and science teachers to facilitate a discussion on a frequently planned unit. Additional Resources. Glossary. Index. Timeline. Recommended"

Baristanet.com
“The entanglement of science and politics began long before climate change was labeled “fake news,” and the Space Race began long before Neil Armstrong took his first small step on the moon. The informative and fun book The Space Race: How the Cold War Put Humans on the Moon from Nomad Press helps young people navigate the history, discovery, competition, and excitement that fueled the journey to putting humans on the Moon.” Read more online.

School Library Journal
"The author of The Science of Science Fiction is back with another fun-filled, interactive nonfiction title, this time about how the Cold War led the United States to put a man on the moon. A strong purchase for middle school ­libraries. Broken up into six chapters, Wood takes readers on a journey from the rise of Communism and the beginning of postwar East/West tensions, until the United States 'crosses the finish line' and lands on the moon."

Mom Read It
"The Cold War between the U.S. and Soviet Union led to a race for dominance, and space was best place to push for that dominance. Matthew Brenden’s book, The Space Race, is an interactive chronicle of this pivotal point in history. Beginning with a timeline to give readers background, Brenden takes us from the 1917 Russian Revolution, through World War II (when Russia was our ally) and the Cold War, to July 20, 1969: the date Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first people to walk on the moon . . . I love Nomad Press’ books; there are so many entry points for students in each book. This one is a valuable reference for Science or History." Read the full review online.

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Detailed Book Description

What do you see when you look up at the night sky? The potential for amazing discoveries and scientific advancement? During the 1950s and 60s, some people also saw a place that needed to be claimed.

In The Space Race: How the Cold War Put Humans on the Moon, middle school students will explore the bitter rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union that served as fuel for the fire that catapulted rockets into the great unknown of the next frontier-space. While Neil Armstrong will always be remembered as the first person to set foot on the moon, the people and events behind this accomplishment populate a fascinating tale of politics, science, technology, and teamwork that resulted in what might be the greatest accomplishment of the twentieth century.

  • The 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 is July 2019.
  • Primary source links to real footage of the rocket race, the rise of communism, and the red scare promote further exploration beyond the page to deepen readers' curiosity about this topic.
  • There is talk of a new Cold War as well as a new space race back to the moon and even to Mars.
Available In:
Hardcover, $22.95
9781619306615
Paperback, $17.95
9781619306639
Includes: Table of Contents | Timeline | Charts | Maps | Glossary | Resources | Index | Metric Conversions Chart
Specs: 8 x 10 size | 4-color interior | 128 pages
Subject: Science
Content Focus: Space Science | U.S. History

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Timeline

Introduction
The Race to the Moon

Chapter 1
The Rise of Communism

Chapter 2
The Cold War Begins

Chapter 3
Man in Space

Chapter 4
Small Steps to the Moon

Chapter 5
America Takes the Lead

Chapter 6
Crossing the Finish Line

Glossary
Metric Conversions
Resources
Index