"The true story of the "Mercury 13" women"--Cover.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 123-130) and index.

"Have you ever heard of the 'Mercury 13' women? Did you know that nearly twenty years before the first women were let into NASA's astronaut program, there were others who tried? What are the requirements for being shot into space, piloting a hunk of metal while carrying the hopes and fears of your nation? Mastery of flying, as well as courage, intelligence, resistance to stress, and fitness -- any checklist would certainly includes these. But when America created NASA in 1958, there was an unspoken rule in place: astronauts must be male, and they must be white. Here is the tale of thirteen women who proved not only that they were as tough as any man but also that they were brave enough to challenge the government. Their passage to space was blocked by prejudice, jealousy, and a note scrawled by one of the most powerful men in Washington. But in the end, their inspiring example empowered young women to take the rightful place in the sky, piloting jets and commanding space capsules. Almost Astronauts is the story of thirteen true pioneers of the space age."--Jacket.

980,Lexile.

Reading Counts RC,6-8,8.3,9.0,46506.

Accelerated Reader AR,MG,7.1,4.0,129067.

Accelerated Reader,Grades 5-8,7.1,4,SD,Quiz 129067,English non-fiction.

Accelerated Reader AR,MG,7.1,4.0,129067.,WLMSHS

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2010.

Orbis Pictus Honor, 2010.

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2010.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, 2010.

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist, 2010.

Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor, 2010

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