Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream is a nonfiction children's book by Tanya Lee Stone, originally published February 24, 2009 by Candlewick Press, then republished September 27, 2011. The book tells the story of the Mercury 13 women, who, in 1958, joined NASA and completed testing to become astronauts.
The book won the Bank Street College Flora Stieglitz Straus Award and Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal.
Reception Almost Astronauts received a starred review from Kirkus, as well as positive reviews from Booklist, The New York Times Book Review, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, and Publishers Weekly.
Kirkus wrote, "The author offers great insight into how deeply ingrained sexism was in American society and its institutions. Handsomely illustrated with photographs, this empowering story will leave readers inspired." Publishers Weekly said, "Readers with an interest in history and in women's struggle for equality will undoubtedly be moved." Speaking for The Bulletin, Elizabeth Bush said, "Readers prone to outrage over civil rights denied can plan on losing plenty of sleep over this one."
The audiobook, narrated by Susan Ericksen, received a positive review from Booklist. +Awards and honors for Almost AstronautsYearAward/HonorResultRef.2009Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for NonfictionHonorSmithsonian Notable Books for ChildrenSelection2010Amelia Bloomer ListSelectionBank Street College Flora Stieglitz Straus AwardWinnerCooperative Children's Book Center Choices SelectionJane Addams Children's Book Award for Older ChildrenHonorNCTE Orbis Pictus AwardHonorNCSS Notable Social Studies Tradebooks for Young PeopleSelectionNSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12Top ChoiceRobert F. Sibert Informational Book MedalWinnerRUSA Notable Children's Books for Older ReadersSelectionYALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young AdultsFinalistYALSA Nonfiction and Morris Book Trailer ContestFinalistYALSA Best Books for Young AdultsSelection
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