ALMOST ASTRONAUTS

ALMOST ASTRONAUTS: 13 WOMEN WHO DARED TO DREAM, by Tanya Lee Stone (Candlewick 2009). At the dawn of the American manned space program, a group of test pilots -- all male -- was chosen as the original "Mercury Seven" astronauts.

And then, a new study was undertaken: to see how women would do if given the same battery of stress and psychological tests given the men.

And they passed with flying colors...

ALMOST ASTRONAUTS is a fascinating and uplifting story of the space program; and the politics and societal attitudes that swirled around its early years. More, it is a story of individual courage and hope and dreams. Highly recommended.