WorldCat is the world's largest library catalog, helping you find library materials online.
Description
Myths! Lies! Failed satellite launches? Head to the launch pad with beloved educator and New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner, because the History Smashers are busting the biggest misconceptions about the Space-Race, and the facts are blasting off in 10-9-8...
On April 14, 1969, President John F. Kennedy announced that the U.S. would put a man on the moon kicking off the Space Race, right? WRONG! The Space Race was already well underway by 1969...and honestly, the U.S. was lightyears behind the Russians when it came to space exploration.
Alright, but once the U.S. got going, it was smooth sailing to the stars, right? Not exactly. Space exploration always comes with risk, and the truth is to learn about our universe, it took the work of many scientists, politicians, and passionate everyday citizens like you.
Grab your helmet and join New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner as she leads the History Smashers to dispel the misconceptions and outright myths about tensions between the U.S. and Russia during the consequential Space Race.
Ready to bust new myths? Check out more titles in the History Smashers series: The Mayflower - The Titanic - The American Revolution - The Salem Witch Trials
Publication date
July 21, 2026
Genre
Non-fiction
Page Count
224
ISBN-13
9780593902363
Publisher
Random House Books for Young Readers
Series
History Smashers
BISAC categories
JNF025080 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Exploration & Discovery
School Library Journal
Messner gives young readers plenty of inspiration for how they could prepare to carry on with research and exploration. Make space for this fast-paced and fun selection.
Copyright 2026 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Kirkus Reviews
A useful, if unsystematic, tally of soaring achievements.
Booklist
Messner's enthusiasm for the topic....is clear throughout the text, written with the clarity and humor that characterizes this savvy series. Fascinating details....appear alongside significant and often overlooked achievements by historically marginalized groups.
Kate Messner is a New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books for kids. Her titles include award-winning picture books like Over and Under the Snow, The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story, and Axolotl-Ella; novels like All the Answers, Breakout, and The Trouble with Heroes; graphic novels like Camp Monster; and the Wildlife Rescue chapter books. Kate also writes the popular History Smashers graphic nonfiction series and leads the multi-author team behind The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class series. She lives on Lake Champlain and spends her free time hiking, kayaking, and listening to way too many Broadway cast recordings. Kate Messner es una autora superventas del New York Times con más de ochenta libros para niños. Sus títulos incluyen libros ilustrados galardonados como Over and Under the Snow, The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story y Axolotl-Ella; novelas como All the Answers, Breakout y The Trouble with Heroes; novelas gráficas como Camp Monster; y los libros de capítulos de Wildlife Rescue. Kate también escribe la popular serie de no ficción gráfica History Smashers y lidera el equipo de varios autores detrás de la serie The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class. Vive en el lago Champlain y pasa su tiempo libre haciendo senderismo, practicando kayak y escuchando demasiadas grabaciones del elenco de Broadway.
