Rocket to the Moon

Rocket to the Moon
Don Brown
Amulet, 2019 132 pages
Grades 3-Up
Graphic Non-Fiction

Join early twentieth century daredevil, Rodman Law, as he narrates the American space program, focusing primarily on the Apollo missions and the historic first moonwalk. Law first describes the invention of rockets and how the American, Russians, and Germans came at the space travel question in different ways. Moving onto the Cold War, the space race is described in both a historical and culture context. Lastly, the focus is on the Apollo missions and we see each mission described in detail with both their successes and blunders. Basic rocket engineering and the science behind space travel are touched upon with illustrations offering a visual. Finally, the Apollo missions end with America unwilling to sink any more money into space travel, yet space research continues, as seen in the accompanying timeline. Additional research aids in the back of the volume include extensive notes, a bibliography, historical information about our narrator, and an index.

Just in time for the fiftieth anniversary of Armstrong's historic moonwalk, Brown throws his hat into a crowded ring of space exploration books with a well-researched graphic novel. Much as he has done in his previous non-fiction graphic novels and picture books (Aaron and Alexander: the Most Famous Duel in America, The Great American Dust Bowl), Brown has taken a topic from American history and presents it to young people in an enjoyable and  approachable format. Rocket to the Moon is chuck-full of historical and scientific facts, yet reads like fiction and will be easily devoured by all who crack into it. Using his customary pallet of muted earth tones, Brown utilizes some colorful accents for dramatic effect, such as the American flag on the moon or the flames shooting out of a rocket. Honest and unbiased, this is a fair portrayal of the space race and the bravery and sacrifices made by all countries and individuals involved. I was alive for Armstrong's historic walk, yet was only three and don't remember it. Reading this graphic novel educated me about this important chapter in American history and helped me to understand a bit of the technology behind the logistics of space travel. A great vehicle used in the best possible way to present a fascinating topic from our past with relevance to the present.