Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Man Walks on the Moon
Nonfiction
For ages 12 and up
The Creative Company, 2009 ISBN: 978-1583417355
In America the 1960’s were years full of turbulence, change, and uncertainty. Many young people were opposed to the war in Vietnam and they demonstrated against it. Sometimes these demonstrations became violent and lives were lost. Then there were the problems associated with the civil rights movement. African Americans all over the country were angry with the system that allowed segregation and oppression. They wanted America to be a country that treated all its citizens equally. In addition, Americans lived in fear of the Russians. The Cold War was making many Americans worry that their country could end up becoming another of Moscow’s vassals.
More than anything America needed a common cause to unite its people. It needed to do something to show the world, especially the Russians, that it was a power to reckon with, that the American people could do something remarkable. On May 25th, 1961 President John F. Kennedy told Congress that the United States “should commit itself” to “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth.” Unfortunately the president did not get to see his dream come true, but in July of 1969 two Americans, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, did in fact walk on the moon for the first time.
What is different about this book is that it not only tells the story of the first moon landing, but it also helps readers to understand why this event was important not only in terms of human history, but also in terms of American political interests. Full of period photos, quotes, and other supplemental features, this title tells a compelling story about a fascinating time in America's past.
This is one of the titles in the Days of Change series.
