Astronaut in Training

Gr 2–4—Readers with a fascination for outer space will appreciate the details in this series that focuses specifically on the space environment and how humans continue to adapt to it. Standard facts, including data on the International Space Station and requirements for becoming an astronaut, are present and provide readers with a basic frame of reference. However, Clay enhances the reading experience by injecting specific details that stand out on the page, such as including the nickname "vomit comets" when describing the airplanes used in weightlessness training (Astronaut). Vivid photographs of the men and women at work inside and outside their spacecraft supplement the material with clarity. The inclusion of a "Critical Thinking Using the Common Core" section in each volume encourages students to become active participants in their own learning.