The Moon Over Star

ABOUT THE BOOK  Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up
The Moon Over Star, by Dianna Hutts Aston

The Moon Over Star, by Dianna Hutts Aston

In July 1969, the world witnessed an awe-inspiring historical achievement when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon. For the young protagonist of this lyrical and hopeful picture book, that landing is something that inspires her to make one giant step toward all of the possibilities that life has to offer.Caldecott Honor–winning painter Jerry Pinkney and the poetic Dianna Hutts Aston create a moving tribute to the historic Apollo 11 Mission, just in time to commemorate its upcoming fortieth anniversary.

REVIEWS“In a child’s voice but with lovely storytelling cadences, Aston tells the story of the excitement, anticipation and skepticism felt by one family on July 20, 1969…. Pinkney’s vibrant illustrations exquisitely complement the moving story.” – Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review 

“….the text combines dignity and immediacy in a clean, spare telling of events….A quiet, satisfying tribute to this milestone in human history and its power to inspire others….Perfect for one-on-one sharing, this lovely book has a universality that gives it broad appeal.” – Booklist
ACCOLADES
  • Chosen by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to read to children at Capital City Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. February 3, 2009
  • NASA astronaut Melvin Leland also selected it to read to schoolchildren for African-American History Month.
  • Coretta Scott King Honor Award
  • Bank Street’s 2009 Best Books of the Year
  • The Great Lakes Great Books Award nominee, 2011
READINGS
3 Feb 2009 President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama read ‘Moon Over Star‘ to second graders at the Capital City Public Charter School in Washington, D.C.
February 8, 2011 RIF partnered with NASA to celebrate African American History Month at Ferebee-Hope Community School in Washington, D.C. The event was broadcast live via RIF’s website. The event included a NASA themed book distribution. Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former space shuttle astronaut shared his experiences in space and read aloud the book “The Moon Over Star” to the students. Later, Betsy Pugel, NASA Physicist shared several space materials with the students including a moon rock!
BUY THE BOOK