Almost Astronauts


Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream is a nonfiction children's book by Tanya Lee Stone, originally published February 24, 2009 by Candlewick Press, then republished September 27, 2011. The book tells the story of the Mercury 13 women, who, in 1958, joined NASA and completed testing to become astronauts.
The book won the Bank Street College Flora Stieglitz Straus Award and Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal.

Reception

Almost Astronauts received a starred review from Kirkus, as well as positive reviews from Booklist, The New York Times Book Review, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, and Publishers Weekly.
Kirkus wrote, "The author offers great insight into how deeply ingrained sexism was in American society and its institutions. Handsomely illustrated with photographs, this empowering story will leave readers inspired." Publishers Weekly said, "Readers with an interest in history and in women's struggle for equality will undoubtedly be moved." Speaking for The Bulletin, Elizabeth Bush said, "Readers prone to outrage over civil rights denied can plan on losing plenty of sleep over this one."
The audiobook, narrated by Susan Ericksen, received a positive review from Booklist.
YearAward/HonorResultRef.
2009Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for NonfictionHonor
2009Smithsonian Notable Books for ChildrenSelection
2010Amelia Bloomer ListSelection
2010Bank Street College Flora Stieglitz Straus AwardWinner
2010Cooperative Children's Book Center ChoicesSelection
2010Jane Addams Children's Book Award for Older ChildrenHonor
2010NCTE Orbis Pictus AwardHonor
2010NCSS Notable Social Studies Tradebooks for Young PeopleSelection
2010NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12Top Choice
2010Robert F. Sibert Informational Book MedalWinner
2010RUSA Notable Children's Books for Older ReadersSelection
2010YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young AdultsFinalist
2010YALSA Nonfiction and Morris Book Trailer ContestFinalist
2010YALSA Best Books for Young AdultsSelection