The Moon over Star

The Moon over Star by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney A young African American girl named Mae follows the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing with her family in the summer of 1969. The story unfolds through Mae's perspective as she watches this momentous event alongside her relatives in their home. Jerry Pinkney's watercolor, graphite, and ink illustrations capture both intimate family scenes and the vast reaches of space. The artwork moves between cozy domestic moments and dramatic depictions of the lunar mission, presenting both the personal and historic dimensions of this achievement. This picture book connects themes of family bonds, scientific progress, and the power of dreams to shape the future. Through Mae's experience, readers explore how a single historical moment can inspire generations to reach for their own stars.

Readers appreciate how the book connects a family's personal experience to the historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Teachers and parents note it works well for teaching both the moon landing and African American perspectives from that era. Reviewers highlight Jerry Pinkney's detailed illustrations, particularly his capturing of the grandmother's expressions and the rural farm setting. Multiple readers mention the book helps children understand how the moon landing inspired a generation of young people. Common critiques focus on the text being too advanced for very young children while the picture book format may seem too juvenile for older readers who can grasp the vocabulary. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (226 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (47 ratings) One teacher reviewer noted: "My second graders connected with the main character's dream of becoming an astronaut, and it led to great discussions about setting goals."

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Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly The lives of four African American women mathematicians at NASA intersect with the space race and social progress during a pivotal time in American history.

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🌙 The groundbreaking Apollo 11 mission inspired an estimated 600 million people worldwide to watch the Moon landing on television. 🚀 Author Dianna Hutts Aston has written over 20 children's books, many focusing on science and nature themes that encourage young readers to explore the world around them. 🎨 Illustrator Jerry Pinkney is a Caldecott Medal winner who has illustrated over 100 children's books during his distinguished career, particularly known for his detailed watercolor technique. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The book authentically portrays African American farm life in the 1960s, a perspective often underrepresented in children's literature about the Space Age. 🛰️ The Apollo 11 mission inspired countless young girls to pursue careers in science and engineering, much like the book's protagonist Mae, with women now making up about 34% of NASA's workforce.