Space Academy: How to Fly Spacecraft Step by Step

Kespert and Baker walk future astronauts through what it takes to join the likes of Neil Armstrong and Valentina Tereshkova. Most of the text is written in second person, allowing readers to feel like they’re taking part in a moon landing or spacewalk, with numbered instructions breaking down each activity (“Put on your spacesuit, then open the hatch and climb outside. Use the handrails to move about”). The engaging, graphics-heavy format uses a combination of line drawings and color photographs with labels and captions; stat-heavy sections about past rocket flights, probes, satellites, rovers, and shuttles will make young readers feel like experts on space flight. Ages 7–up. (June)