55 years ago, in 1969, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon…This unprecedented accomplishment changed science and the world forever! Since then, only 11 other Astronauts have touched down on the natural satellite. Today, many people dream of going to the moon and even finding a way to live there! Here are some nonfiction and fiction books that look at the past and future of interstellar travel.
Non-Fiction Books
Destination Moon: the remarkable and improbable voyage of Apollo 11 by Richard Maurer
This book presents a clear narrative on how the United States won the space race against Russia by landing a man on the Moon in 1969.
The award-winning author of Eye of the Storm chronicles the lesser-known rivalry between former Nazi-turned-U.S. Cold War scientist Wernher von Braun and Russian rocket designer Sergei Korolev, explaining how their controversial scientific achievements shaped human history.
Natural satellites: the book of moons by Ron Miller
The moons of our solar system feature extreme and potentially life-hosting environments. This book delves into the science behind the fascinating properties of various moons and explains why astronomers search for life on moons.
Galaxy girls: 50 Amazing stories of women in space by Libby Jackson
Filled with beautiful full-color illustrations, a groundbreaking compendium honoring the amazing true stories of fifty inspirational women who helped fuel some of the greatest achievements in space exploration from the nineteenth century to today–including Hidden Figure’s Mary Jackson and Katherine Johnson as well as former NASA Chief Astronaut Peggy Whitson, the record-holding American biochemistry researcher who has spent the most cumulative time in space. When Neil Armstrong stepped off the ladder of the lunar module, Eagle, he famously spoke of “one small step for man.” But Armstrong would not have reached the moon without the help of women.
Over the course of five decades evidence has been gathered by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and other space programs around the globe. Using such evidence, astronomers and other scientists have learned a great deal about the Solar System, as well as what lies beyond.
Science Fiction Books
Satellite by Nick Lake
Born and raised on Moon 2, Leo and the twins, Orion and Libra, are finally old enough and strong enough to endure the dangerous trip to Earth. They’ve been parented by teams of astronauts since birth and have run countless drills to ready themselves for every conceivable difficulty they might face on the flight. But has anything really prepared them for life on terra firma?
172 hours on the moon by Johan Harstad, translated by Tara F Chace
In 2019, teens Mia, Antoine, and Midori are selected by lottery to join experienced astronauts on a NASA mission to the once top-secret moon base, DARLAH 2, while in a Florida nursing home, a former astronaut struggles to warn someone of the terrible danger there.
Super moon by H.A. Swain
Ever since Uma’s family immigrated to the moon Utilitarian Survival Colony, she’s dreamed of going back to Earth – but not as a stowaway. Passing as an Earthling is easy for this budding scientist, but if Uma doesn’t return to MUSC soon, her mother will be forced back to the grueling life they escaped on the Wastelands of Earth. But before Uma can return to the Moon, she meets Talitha, a clever and beautiful Earthgirl. “You and I were written in the stars,” Uma says as they peer up at the night sky. “I would give the world to be with you,” Talitha tells Uma. Little do they know, each is keeping a high stakes secret from the other. Now these star-crossed lovers face an unthinkable choice: true love or the lives of their loved ones. Whatever Uma and Talitha decide will determine not only the fate of their families but the future of the Moon.
Life as we knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Through journal entries sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family’s struggle to survive after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
The first 7 by Laura Phol
Clover Martinez and the Last Teenagers on Earth are exploring the galaxy after leaving Earth behind, even if they are homesick. When their ship receives a distress signal from their former home, they arrive to find strange crystal formations are taking over Earth’s soil and threatening to destroy the planet. They discover a colony of survivors in the mountains, but relief gives way to panic as the teenagers realize these survivors aren’t who they seem– and there may be no escape.
