School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-7-Though possibly of interest as a sketchy update for the likes of Ron Miller's Rockets (Lerner, 2007), Steve Otfinoski's Rockets (Marshall Cavendish, 2006), or older surveys, this overview of the history of rocketry largely covers well-scouted territory. Tucking a few uncommon details into, particularly, the early chapters, Skurzynski begins with the development of gunpowder bombs and rockets in China, goes on to explain the ideas of pioneers like Konstantin Tsiolkovksy and Robert Goddard, then recaps the Space Race and highlights of the Space Shuttle Program. After a quick look at the commercial rockets under development by Elon Musk's SpaceX Corporation (but none of his several private competitors), she closes with a highly selective list of alternatives to chemical rockets: the space elevator, solar sails, ion engines, and magneto-plasma propulsion. Further marred by a hard-to-read main text printed in low-contrast gray against a patterned background, and also an incorrect claim that the solar wind is composed of photons, this book may draw some readers with its attractive photos and packaging, but doesn't make a significant contribution to space exploration's history or ongoing initiatives.-John Peters, New York Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Skurzynski outlines the history of rocketry, covering its origins in Chinese uses of gunpowder, the advances of the "Fathers of Modern Rocketry," the mid-twentieth-century war research of German, Soviet, and American scientists, and current and future private and government-funded rocket research. Crisp color and black-and-white illustrations include both historical and contemporary space shuttle/rocket images and future space vehicles. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
This brief but engaging chronicle of how rocketry made space travel possible begins 1,000 years ago in China with the invention of "fire arrows." Skurzynski breezes through the astronomical discoveries of Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler and the formulation of Newton's laws of gravity and motion to the late 19th century. After discussing the contributions of rocketry pioneers Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Robert Goddard, Hermann Oberth and Wernher von Braun, the author focuses on the era of space exploration, beginning with the launch of Sputnik and continuing with the ensuing "space race" between the United States and Soviet Union. Important developments such as the Saturn V rocket, space-shuttle program and international space station are highlighted. The concluding chapter discussing NASA's Ares program and its plan to return to the Moon is already dated by the Obama administration's recent decision to scrap the program. Abundantly illustrated and attractively designed, readers will find this overview of rocket science informative and appealing. Glossary, index and resources not seen. (Nonfiction. 10-13)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Beginning 2,000 years ago when Chinese scientists developed gunpowder and fireworks, this concise title outlines the history of rocket technology, all the way up to twentieth-century marvels, such as the R-7 rocket that launched Sputnik into orbit, and today's latest research. Throughout, Skurzynski lucidly explains challenging concepts, such as Newton's laws of motion, and she shows the intricate connections between historical events and scientific breakthroughs, particularly in passages about World Wars I and II and their aftermath: However unpleasant it might sound, the Cold War stimulated the development of space and satellite technology, reads one quote from a Russian space engineer. Sci-fi's important role in shaping modern rocket science will intrigue kids, who will also enjoy reading about young people's cutting-edge contributions, including a magneto-plasma rocket MIT students made from a Coke can and a plastic water bottle: They built it for fun, but . . . it worked! This is how exciting future technologies are born. Amply illustrated with a mix of captivating photos and archival art, this will inspire interest in a wide audience.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2009 Booklist
