Astrotwins — Project Blastoff: Astrotwins, Book 1
By Darienne Stewart,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Serious science, engaging tale for space-loving kids.
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What's the Story?
Eleven-year-old twins Mark and Scott Kelly keep getting into mischief, from dismantling a calculator to scrapping with each other. When their grandfather suggests they try doing something constructive for a change, they seize upon the idea of building a spaceship. They soon recruit their smart new friend, Egg, who hopes to win her school's science fair, and a handful of friends. Secretly, the kids put in long hours at the library, in the workshop, and even at an amusement park learning about physics and space flight and secretly assembling a rocket. They work well as a team -- until it comes time to decide which one will get to try orbiting the Earth.
Is It Any Good?
ASTROTWINS -- PROJECT BLASTOFF successfully launches an engaging series that challenges kids to consider sophisticated scientific concepts. Packaged as a kids' adventure story, it makes science relatable and fun (thought it's very thin on plausibility). Kids who are familiar with the Kelly twins -- who have become especially well-known for their involvement in research for long-term space exploration -- will appreciate the many autobiographical touches.
There's a lot of information to absorb, and some readers will skip right over the chunks of dry, textbook-like dialogue. But aspiring astronauts and anyone who marvels at the stars will enjoy the spirit of adventure of ambition. Better yet, it just might inspire some kids to turn off a screen and go build something on their own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the children's hard work, done mostly in secret. Have you ever worked on something intense and absorbing on your own or with friends?
With no TV at Grandpa's -- and no Internet or video games in 1975 -- the kids rely on the library and family and friends to gather resources and know-how. How would the story be different if it took place today?
Explore more of the science and history referenced in the story, perhaps using NASA App or going online to NASA's Space Place.
Book Details
- Authors: Mark Kelly, Martha Freeman
- Genre: Science
- Topics: STEM, Adventures, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Science and Nature, Space and Aliens
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Publication date: March 24, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 224
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: June 2, 2022
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