Margaret Weitekamp

Excellent look at NASA's Space Program during the 1960s. Looks at why NASA ignored women as potential astronauts when scientific and medical tests conducted in the late 1950s indicated that women were capable of being astronauts. These tests were done by Dr. William Randolph Lovelace and funded by Jacqueline Cochran. The author looks at the women tested and shows why their "desire to serve their country fell victim to their country's suspicion of -and hostility to - such aspirations." The author paints a very interesting picture of Jackie Cochran that explains much of her confusing actions - since Cochran's "method of operation" depended on her being the only woman among influential men...she was uninterested in helping other women into that group. Although she was a successful powerful woman in an era when most women were not, she was the typical "man's woman" comfortable around men, who sincerely liked men, but who influenced men by using her looks and her status as a lady. When she funded Lovelace's Woman in Space Program, she wanted to make certain that she received publicity and credit for doing so (and regretted that in her 50s and with a heart problem she was too old to be an astronaut candidate).… (altro)

This book not only tells about the properties and facts of Pluto, but also its history and how it got its name. I like how the story is laid out as though Pluto is a person who has feelings and reactions to what the scientists declared about him. This personification makes the book more playful and memorable. Near the end of the book, the reader discovers that Pluto is not considered a planet and also discovers the secrets about Pluto. Many young students now have been taught that Pluto isn't a planet, but I remember it being quite the controversy when I was younger. This book would be great to read during an outer space unit when teaching about the properties of planets or the history of Pluto. If a student is ever wondering how Pluto got its name, I think he or she would be fascinated to learn that an eleven year old came up with the name. I thought that was amazing. Even I learned something new from this book!… (altro)

I always wanted to find out as a child what Pluto is and where did it come from. I love this book because it explains how Pluto was discovered and more. I was amazed by the illustrations because the watercolor stands out. It lends to a soft texture to the text. I loved the humorous lines by the illustrations. I learned so much about Pluto throughout the book. I did not know that they were suggesting so many names for Pluto. At first, it was Planet X because it was a mysterious planet. I find it very fascinating that Venetia suggested the name Pluto and she was only 11-years-old. I love how the astronomers were working so hard to find out was Pluto a planet or not. Come to find out Pluto is not a planet. Astronomers had to work together and do a vote. Pluto is round but not alone he is surrounded by other planets. The planet is supposed to be round and alone in the orbit. It is interesting to find out Pluto is the only one in the Solar System that is not a planet.… (altro)