THIS IS ROCKET SCIENCE

THIS IS ROCKET SCIENCE: TRUE STORIES OF THE RISK-TAKING SCIENTISTS WHO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO EXPLORE BEYOND THE EARTH, by Gloria Skurzynski (National Geographic 2010)(ages 10+), offers a fine introduction to the history and physics of rocket science. Most of the book is given to discussing the past and present of rocketry and the space program, with final chapters looking toward the future and the potential for ever-more-advanced methods of sending humans into space.

In short, from the beginnings of rocketry in ancient China to the current era of modern space exploration and beyond, THIS IS ROCKET SCIENCE provides an exciting look at the development of the science and engineering -- and the physicists and engineers -- behind the rockets.