Reaching for the Moon

Reaching for the Moon

by Buzz Aldrin

Narrated by Buzz Aldrin

Unabridged — 30 minutes

Reaching for the Moon

Reaching for the Moon

by Buzz Aldrin

Narrated by Buzz Aldrin

Unabridged — 30 minutes

Audiobook (Digital)

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Overview

"Adler, a prolific children's book author, has done a good job describing the trajectory of Douglass's life as he moved from being a slave himself to being a freer of slaves and a tireless civil rights activist. Narrator Charles Turner, who has a deep and resonant voice, uses just the right matter-of-fact yet serious tones that won't overwhelm young listeners but will make an impression on them."-AudioFile

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Aldrin and illustrator Minor (one of six American artists selected to cover the launch of the space shuttle Discovery in 1988) bring the astronaut's early life and commendable career into stunningly sharp focus. Aldrin shapes nearly each page into a kind of brief chapter, instantly pulling readers into his easygoing, articulate narrative. For instance, he recalls how, on summer nights during his childhood, "the Moon hung low in the sky, so close to our house that I thought I could reach out and touch the soft white light. I never imagined that one day I would walk on its surface. But maybe it was meant to be. You see, before she was married, my mother's last name was Moon." In another neat coincidence, Aldrin's pilot father took the two-year-old on his first flight in a plane painted to look like an eagle; and, in a craft named Eagle, Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed on the moon during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission. After recapping earlier events in his life, the author recaptures the thrill of the Eagle's landing and his and Armstrong's exploration of the moon. Aldrin closes with a stirring afterword encouraging readers to reach for their own moons: "If you set your sights high, you may accomplish more than you ever dreamed was possible." Minor's light-infused art balances lifelike, affecting portraiture and images of various spacecraft in motion, rendered with an almost dizzying clarity. Author and artist clearly aimed high here and easily hit their mark. Ages 6-9. (June) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 5-Astronaut Buzz Aldrin narrates this fascinating autobiography (HarperCollins, 2005) that provides information about his childhood, his education, and his first steps on the moon. He also includes an account of how he got the name Buzz, his time at West Point, and his perseverance in becoming an astronaut. He provides details about his unique preparation for going into space, his first spaceflight on Gemini 12, and the moon landing with Neil Armstong. Beautiful realistic illustrations by Wendell Minor give listeners the feeling that they are right there flying a plane or floating in space. Aldrin's pacing and inflection draws listeners in, adding to the immediacy of Minor's illustrations. Occasional, subtle sound effects and background instrumentation add to the richness of the story. This read-along set will work well in a classroom setting for units on space or biographies. A necessary addition to all collections serving elementary grade students.-Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

In first-person voice, Aldrin highlights points from his childhood that led to his dream of being an astronaut and making the historic moon landing. Coincidental details like his mother's maiden name, "Moon," and his favorite movie hero, the "Lone Ranger," suggest clues to his destiny. After West Point, he joined the Air Force because "he wanted to fly more than anything." Minor's usual beautiful and realistic illustrations effectively convey spatial perspectives and movement, adding depth to the narrative. However, the cover design and type layout are confusing, indicative of a biography instead of an autobiography-a brief intro could have clarified it. Aldrin's message in an author's note avows, "If you set your sights high, you may accomplish more than you ever dreamed." Pair this with Don Brown's One Giant Step for a child's-eye view on space exploration. (Flight/space exploration chronology) (Picture book/biography. 6-9)

From the Publisher

★ “Entertaining and informative. Excellent, realistic paintings.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“A Buzz-worthy book!” — Time for Kids

“Precisely rendered illustrations help this effort really take off. A brief chronology rounds out this solid title.” — ALA Booklist

“Calling all dreamers and wannabe space travellers!” — Child Magazine

“Beautiful and realistic illustrations...in first-person voice. A child’s-eye view on space exploration.” — Kirkus Reviews

Time for Kids

A Buzz-worthy book!

ALA Booklist

Precisely rendered illustrations help this effort really take off. A brief chronology rounds out this solid title.

Child Magazine

Calling all dreamers and wannabe space travellers!

AUG/SEP 06 - AudioFile

Who would guess that the 2-year-old who rode in his father’s airplane painted like an eagle would some day be on board the moon lander Eagle? Or that the boy who delighted in his rock collection would one day collect rock samples from the moon’s surface? Coincidences are poignant as Buzz Aldrin shares his autobiography with young listeners. His resiliency and determination as a childhood adventurer and athlete carry on to his later years as a young cadet at West Point and then an aspiring astronaut. Aldrin’s narration is firm, yet modest. His pacing leaves time to appreciate accomplishments and to savor Wendell Minor’s majestic paintings. The musical score complements and completes this recording. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID: 2940178720707
Publisher: Live Oak Media
Publication date: 02/01/2016
Edition description: Unabridged
Age Range: 5 - 8 Years
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