Becoming a spacewalker
Subtitle: my journey to the stars
By: Jerry L. Ross with Susan G. Gunderson
Contributors: Gunderson, Susan G., author
Publisher: Purdue University Press
Published: 2014
Language: eng
Number of pages: 31
ISBN-13: 9781612493596; 9781557536938; 9781612493602
Subjects: JUVENILE NONFICTION; Science & Technology; Astronauts; Exploration of outer space; Exploration; Biography & Autobiography; Juvenile literature; Biography
Other titles: Spacewalker :
Work titles: Spacewalker (Children's version)
Description: "This nonfiction picture book is a children's version of NASA astronaut Jerry L. Ross's autobiography, Spacewalker: My Journey in Space and Faith as NASA's Record-Setting Frequent Flyer, designed for ages 7-12. Told in friendly first-person narration, it represents how Ross followed his dream from rural 1950s northern Indiana to Purdue University and then outer space. Ross possessed specific character traits that helped him make choices and overcome obstacles as he struggled against the odds to realize his dream: curiosity, persistence, and believing in himself. As the story unfolds and readers begin to make personal connections with Ross, his approach to problem solving and working through setbacks provides a powerful example for children. Content area concepts are integrated throughout the story, including but not limited to science, technology, engineering, math, visual literacy, financial literacy, geography, flight, and the race to space. Gravity, for example, is a major theme illustrated within the content of the story. Online guides for teachers using the book in a classroom setting (third to fourth grade recommended) are linked to throughout. A map of the United States on the inside front cover invites children to follow the path of Ross's journey from Crown Point, Indiana, to Kennedy Space Center. A timeline on the inside back cover compares and contrasts benchmark events in Ross's life and career with important events in flight and space travel history."--
Notes: Ages 7-12.

Grades 4 to 6.
Table of contents: title: My dream; title: The beginning. Mom ; Dad ; Grandparents; title: Kid stuff; title: The Space Age. Making a scrapbook ; Scrapbook; title: A plan. Kid for hire ; Saving; title: Scientific curiosity. Junior high revelations ; High school choices ; Purdue University; title: Supersonic flight; title: Try, try again; title: Space travel. Life in zero gravity ; Space family ; Frequent flyer; title: My next mission; title: My challenge to you.