The Moon Over Star - Coretta Scott King Award for illustrations

     The Moon Over Star was written by Dianna Hutts Aston, but earned the Coretta Scott King Award in 2009 for the illustrations done by Jerry Pinkney.  I enjoyed this book very much as it reminded me of my childhood - I was two years old when Apollo 11 landed on the moon.  Throughout the story, the children's time was spent by attending church services, completing chores, and by building an imaginary spaceship with found objects from the barn.  Those are all activities similar to the ones that made up my childhood.  The story portrays a simpler time.

     The moon landing may not seem to be a big deal to those that are under the age of forty-five or so, but it was indeed a big deal!  I remember my dad sharing with me that in one of his high school textbooks that it was stated that man would never go to the moon.  The text went on to explain that it was so far to the moon that if indeed they ever invented a rocket to get there that the people inside would die before getting there.  Today, we scoff at that statement.  Back then, though, the idea of space travel was truly incredible.

     I like the opportunity this book could provide to expose students to some historical events and people.  John F. Kennedy, Walter Cronkite, and of course the astronauts are mentioned by name.  Neil Armstrong's famous "...one small step for man, on giant leap for mankind..." is included as well.  The little girl in the story is referred to as Mae.  Other reviews of the book suggest that this story could be about Mae Jemison - an African American female astronaut.  The illustrations are very well done - the children's faces are full of innocence and all character's faces display wonder while watching the moon landing. 

     The characters are African American, but I think the diversity factor goes beyond that.  The story portrays a strong family unit - mother,father, grandmother,grandfather, siblings, and cousins.  The family works, plays, and worships together.  Not everyone in the family shares the excitement over the moon landing, but all the family members do respect the accomplishment.  This is a book about family, firsts in history, and dreams.