Almost Astronauts is a nonfiction book about 13 women who went through tests in the 1960’s in hopes of becoming astronauts. The story starts by following the journey of just one woman, Jerrie Cobb. From there, it moves to the background of the program and then to the other women involved. It is clear from the text that the women had an uphill climb. Not only does it look at the issues the women faced while attempting to break into NASA, Almost Astronauts also looks at the pervasive attitudes of women throughout society. It not only addresses the question of women in space but also the bigger question of what a woman’s role in society should be.
Almost Astronauts uses period photographs throughout. The photographs are well-captioned, and their relationships to the text are clear. The story is told in an easy-to-follow, sequential manner. The photographs help to make the story more personal by giving the reader images of the women. The photographs also give a glimpse of the period. On page 44 there is a picture of Jamie Cobb posing next to a Mercury space capsule; she is dressed in heels and white gloves, which gives a picture of female expectations of the time. Almost Astronauts also gives updates on what the women did after their failed attempt to join NASA. The presentation of the women is well-rounded, giving glimpses of their personal and professional lives. Stone also discusses the heirs of these 13 women; the women who have made it into space. The book ends up an uplifting note of ultimate success.
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream has a wide appeal and tells a story that is often missed. It is well-documented with extensive notes and a bibliography. I would recommend this book for readers aged 10 and up.
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream has won several awards, including the 2010 Sibert Medal and the Bank Street Flor Stieglitz Straus Award.
Lee, Tanya. Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2009. Print.
