Apollo 13

A Successful Failure

  • Interest Level: Grade 6 - Grade 12
  • Reading Level: Grade 8

“Houston, we’ve had a problem.”

On April 13, 1970, the three astronauts aboard the Apollo 13 spacecraft were headed to the moon when a sudden explosion rocked the ship. Oxygen levels began depleting rapidly. Electrical power began to fail. Astronauts James Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise were about to be stranded in the inky void of outer space.

The mission to the moon was scrapped. Now, Apollo 13‘s only goal was to bring the crew home. With the damaged spacecraft hurtling towards the moon at roughly six thousand miles per hour, there was little hope of success. But the astronauts and mission control were fully prepared to do whatever it took to return the crew to Earth.

This space disaster occurred at the peak of the United States’ Space Race against the Soviet Union. But for four days in 1970, the two nations put aside their differences, and the entire world watched the skies, hoping and praying the astronauts would return safely. As missions to Mars and commercial space flight become a reality, the time is now to be reminded of our common humanity, of how rivals can work together and support each other towards a shared goal. Because no matter what happens or where we travel, we all call Earth home.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-5415-5900-4
$27.99
978-1-5415-9579-8
$41.99
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Interest Level Grade 6 - Grade 12
Reading Level Grade 8
Genre Science, Young Adult
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, 5KN: Traditional Nonfiction, STEM, STEM: Space Science
Copyright 2020
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Twenty-First Century Books ™
Language English
Number of Pages 136
Publication Date 2020-03-03
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS YAN055010, YAN050020, YAN050060
Dewey 629.45/4
Dimensions 6 x 9
Lexile 1000
Features Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Charts/Graphs/Diagrams, Glossary, Primary source quotations/images, Reviewed, Sidebars, Source notes, and Timeline

Author: Laura B. Edge

Laura B. Edge was born just north of Chicago in Waukegan, Illinois. She grew up in a big Italian-Irish family with lots of brothers and sisters. She loves to read, travel, dance, ride horses, and watch basketball games. Laura received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Texas at Austin and studied abroad with the American Institute of Foreign Study. Laura has taught reading and writing in elementary schools, middle schools, and at a community college. In addition to teaching, Laura has worked as a computer programmer and owned and operated a computer training company. Laura uses her love of history to create books that bring the past to life. She enjoys research and uncovering little known facts.

Awards

  • Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Winner, 2021
  • 2021 Spirit of Texas Reading List Nominee, Nominated, 2021

Reviews

School Library Journal

“An engaging space survival story that has the potential to turn middle grade science fiction/adventure fans into nonfiction readers.”—School Library Journal

Booklist

“[A]n ideal resource for researchers. This compelling story of teamwork and ingenuity pretty much defines what STEM is all about.”—Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

“A powerful narrative of an awe-inspiring event.”—Kirkus Reviews