2020 New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award Master List In 1961, President John F. Kennedy issued a challenge to the nation: land astronauts on the moon by the end of the decade. The Apollo program was designed by NASA to meet that challenge, and on July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 lifted off from Kennedy Space Center carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin Aldrin. Apollo 11's prime mission objective: "Perform a manned lunar landing and return." Four days after take-off, the Lunar Module "Eagle," carrying Armstrong and Aldrin, separated from the Command Module "Columbia," and descended to the moon. Armstrong reported back to Houston's Command Center, "The Eagle has landed." America and the world watched in wonder and awe as a new chapter in space exploration opened. Through verse and informational text, author Rhonda Gowler Greene celebrates Apollo 11's historic moon landing. K-Gr 2-In this title, author Greene explores a poetic journey to the moon and back with the men of Apollo 11. This book has a distinct first part and second part, with a narrative and artistic structure that changes halfway through. Greene's narrative text is reminiscent of cumulative tale, repeating a phrase from the previous spread as it builds from introducing Aldrin, Collins, and Armstrong, to landing on the moon, to the parade celebrating their successful return. Then she slightly re-words the rhyming couplets as they unfold in backwards order throughout the second half. The first half of the book also features nonfiction side notes, giving a small amount of context to the words and images, with no asides in the second portion. Brundage's illustrations in the first half portray active, dynamic scenes: the rocket blasting off, and Aldrin and Armstrong walking on the moon. The second half contains contemplative spreads like the bright moon surrounded by black space, and a close-up of the footprints the astronauts left behind. Two pages of endnotes include six photographs (five taken on the moon, one official portrait of the Apollo 11 astronauts), "Where are Eagle and Columbia Now?," further facts, sources, and books for young readers. VERDICT A good addition for the growing shelf of Apollo 11 titles.-Kacy Helwick, New Orleans Public Library Writing in quiet verse reminiscent of This Is the House that Jack Built, Greene tells the story of Apollo 11, which lifted off and soared through the heavens/ and carried the first men who went to the Moon. Each spread also includes factual and historical details: While on the Moon, Armstrong and Aldrin set up scientific equipment, took photographs, gathered rock and soil samples, and planted an American flag. Brundage's striking illustrations depict the craft's ascension and views through the vessel's window of Earth and of the moon, a desolate land in the darkness of space. Greene and Brundage provide social and historical context for the mission, while the naturalistic images capture the awe-inspiring magnitude of the moon landing. --Publisher's Weekly This would be a great starter book for any young reader who knows little about this time in history. It will leave in them a reality of how great this accomplishment turned out. --Always in the Middle Blog I was so enthralled with THE FIRST MEN WHO WENT TO THE MOON! Rhonda Gowler Green provides children with a great introduction to the history of the space program and commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing. (Gee, I feel old!) I love the way Rhonda acquaints her audience with each aspect of the Apollo 11 mission, and ties them together at the end. The factual bullets further explain some of the terms used, and more about the mission, adding appeal for older readers. I/m sure my grandchildren will love this one! Scott Brundage really captured the images I remember from the Apollo 11 mission, but much better, as they are in beautiful color! His drawings bring this momentous event to life. I know this book is advertised for children age 6-9, but I think younger children would certainly be enthralled with the illustrations, as would older children through adult! --science-nook.com Rhonda Gowler Greene is the author of over twenty-five children’s books. Among other honors, her books have been named a Bank Street College Best Children’s Book, an ILA Children’s Choice Book, and a School Library Journal Best Book. A former elementary learning disabilities teacher, Rhonda holds a Master’s in Educational Media. She currently resides in southeast Michigan. Learn more at www.rhondagowlergreene.com. Scott Brundage is a Brooklyn-based illustrator and character designer. As a child, his parents rightly decided he was far too indoorsy for his own heath and encouraged him to try various hobbies. When T-ball’s rules confused him and judo required too much coordination, he found his love for drawing cartoons at a local art class. Scott has sketched and painted ever since, eventually attending the University of