The Museum on the Moon

Footprints forever etched in time. A commemorative patch from a tragic flight. Two golf balls, still lodged in frozen dust 238,900 miles away. From the amusing to the poignant, The Museum on the Moon introduces readers to the mysterious objects left on the lunar surface since humans arrived in 1969. Part history, part poetry, heartwarming and haunting, and illustrated with breathtaking graphite drawings, The Museum on the Moon is a moving exhibit of humankind's most famous quest for knowledge and our place in the universe. From the book: The primary goals of the United States' NASA Apollo program (1961-1972) were to establish space technology, carry out scientific exploration of the moon, and to develop ways for humans to work in the lunar environment. Six missions-Apollos 11, 12, 14, 15, and 17-landed American astronauts on the moon. The astronauts carried with them a variety of items that are now artifacts-some personal mementos, some tools and equipment for the purpose of moon transport and experimentation, and other things, like human waste products, unavoidable. Because the moon has virtually no atmosphere, these things remain on the moon, just as they were, and will presumably continue to be there for years to come. The moon truly is a museum!

"A provocative tally of treasures and trash." --Kirkus Reviews

Readers explore the moon as a museum of memories, equipment, and more through different types of poems that examine the many ways humankind has left its mark on the moon. Each spread features a poem and showcases a moon fact. Different types of poems include a ghazal, an acrostic, and an ABAB rhyme scheme. Facts shared range from the start of missions to the moon to the one book that has been left behind. The poetry and facts complement each other and make for a nice flow of information and fun, resulting in sometimes goofy poetry. For instance, the poem about astronauts going to the bathroom will especially -entertain younger readers. Illustrations in a muted palette mostly feature astronauts and other people. Back matter includes a list of humans who walked on the surface of the moon so far, a moon milestones time line, and additional notes on each of the poems, including -websites to learn more about the moon facts. VERDICT A lovely picture book that mixes poetry and history about the moon.

Irene Latham is the author of many books for children, including novels, poetry, and picture books. Winner of the 2016 ILA Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award, she writes poetry inspired by nature, art, and the experience of being human. Together with Charles Waters, she's written Dictionary for a Better World and Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes and Friendship, which was named a Charlotte Huck Honor book and a Kirkus Best Book of 2018. Irene lives on a lake in Alabama where she does her best to "live her poem" every single day by laughing, playing the cello, and birdwatching.Myriam Wares is a French-Canadian illustrator from Montreal. Her work touches on a variety of themes, notably natural sciences and technology, mythology and surrealism, as well as contemporary social issues.

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