
A parent might reach for this book when their child's fascination with space moves from general planets to specific questions like, 'How do astronauts go outside?' or 'What is a space walk?'. This nonfiction book clearly explains the equipment, procedures, and dangers of Extravehicular Activities (EVAs). It addresses a child's deep curiosity with factual, accessible information, while also touching upon the bravery and resilience required for such a challenging job. For ages 7 to 9, it's a perfect choice to provide concrete answers and new vocabulary for a child ready to move beyond introductory space concepts and into the thrilling details of human space exploration.
The book discusses the dangers of space in a direct, scientific manner. Potential perils like a suit puncture or floating away are presented as problems that astronauts train extensively to prevent and solve. The approach is secular and factual, focusing on engineering and safety protocols rather than inducing fear. The resolution is one of human ingenuity overcoming environmental challenges.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe ideal reader is a 7 to 9 year old who is a concrete thinker, fascinated by machines, technology, and 'how things work'. This child has likely graduated from basic solar system books and is now asking specific, technical questions. They appreciate diagrams, real photos, and learning correct terminology.
No specific preparation is needed. The book is self-contained and age appropriate. A parent could enhance the experience by looking up recent videos of ISS space walks online to show how the technology has evolved since the book's 2000 publication. A parent's trigger for seeking this book might be hearing their child say, "I want to be an astronaut when I grow up," or after watching a space-themed movie, the child asks, "But how do they fix the outside of the spaceship?".
A younger reader (age 7) will be primarily captivated by the dramatic photos and the core concept of floating in space. An older reader (age 9) will better grasp the technical vocabulary (airlock, EMU, tether) and the scientific principles behind the dangers and the solutions, engaging more with the 'why' behind the procedures.
Compared to broader space encyclopedias, this book's strength is its singular focus on space walks. This allows for a satisfying level of detail without overwhelming the reader. Its publication date also makes it a unique time capsule of the Space Shuttle program, offering a different visual and technological context than more contemporary books focused on SpaceX and the ISS.
This nonfiction early reader provides a focused look at astronaut Extravehicular Activities (EVAs), or space walks. It covers the purpose of EVAs, the complex personal spaceship known as the space suit (EMU), the process of leaving the spacecraft via an airlock, and the types of tasks astronauts perform. The book uses archival NASA photographs from the Space Shuttle era to illustrate concepts like tethering, using special tools, and the perspective of Earth from orbit. It also touches on the inherent dangers of the vacuum of space, such as extreme temperatures and micrometeoroids.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.