How We Got to the Moon

The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity's Greatest Adventure

Author John Rocco
LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD YALSA EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION FINALIST A ROBERT F. SIBERT HONOR BOOK

This beautifully illustrated, oversized guide to the people and technology of the moon landing by award-winning author/illustrator John Rocco (illustrator of the Percy Jackson series) is a must-have for space fans, classrooms, and tech geeks.

Everyone knows of Neil Armstrong's famous first steps on the moon. But what did it really take to get us there?

The Moon landing is one of the most ambitious, thrilling, and dangerous ventures in human history. This exquisitely researched and illustrated book tells the stories of the 400,000 unsung heroes--the engineers, mathematicians, seamstresses, welders, and factory workers--and their innovations and life-changing technological leaps forward that allowed NASA to achieve this unparalleled accomplishment.

From the shocking launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik to the triumphant splashdown of Apollo 11, Caldecott Honor winner John Rocco answers every possible question about this world-altering mission. Each challenging step in the space race is revealed, examined, and displayed through stunning diagrams, experiments, moments of crisis, and unforgettable human stories.

Explorers of all ages will want to pore over every page in this comprehensive chronicle detailing the grandest human adventure of all time!
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award
  • LONGLIST | 2021
    ALSC Notable Children's Books
  • HONOR | 2021
    Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor Book
  • FINALIST | 2021
    YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Kansas State Reading Circle Award
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Chicago Public Library Best Books
John Rocco is the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Blackout, the recipient of a Caldecott Honor, and How We Got to the Moon, which received a Sibert Honor and was longlisted for the National Book Award. John, also an ambassador for Wild Tomorrow, ventures with Hayley into the wild in search of stories they can bring back and share with readers everywhere. John and Hayley live in Rhode Island in an old house tucked in the woods near the sea. Visit John at roccoart.com and follow him on Instagram @roccoart. View titles by John Rocco

About

LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD YALSA EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION FINALIST A ROBERT F. SIBERT HONOR BOOK

This beautifully illustrated, oversized guide to the people and technology of the moon landing by award-winning author/illustrator John Rocco (illustrator of the Percy Jackson series) is a must-have for space fans, classrooms, and tech geeks.

Everyone knows of Neil Armstrong's famous first steps on the moon. But what did it really take to get us there?

The Moon landing is one of the most ambitious, thrilling, and dangerous ventures in human history. This exquisitely researched and illustrated book tells the stories of the 400,000 unsung heroes--the engineers, mathematicians, seamstresses, welders, and factory workers--and their innovations and life-changing technological leaps forward that allowed NASA to achieve this unparalleled accomplishment.

From the shocking launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik to the triumphant splashdown of Apollo 11, Caldecott Honor winner John Rocco answers every possible question about this world-altering mission. Each challenging step in the space race is revealed, examined, and displayed through stunning diagrams, experiments, moments of crisis, and unforgettable human stories.

Explorers of all ages will want to pore over every page in this comprehensive chronicle detailing the grandest human adventure of all time!

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award
  • LONGLIST | 2021
    ALSC Notable Children's Books
  • HONOR | 2021
    Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor Book
  • FINALIST | 2021
    YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Kansas State Reading Circle Award
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Chicago Public Library Best Books

Author

John Rocco is the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Blackout, the recipient of a Caldecott Honor, and How We Got to the Moon, which received a Sibert Honor and was longlisted for the National Book Award. John, also an ambassador for Wild Tomorrow, ventures with Hayley into the wild in search of stories they can bring back and share with readers everywhere. John and Hayley live in Rhode Island in an old house tucked in the woods near the sea. Visit John at roccoart.com and follow him on Instagram @roccoart. View titles by John Rocco