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The Astrochimps

America's First Astronauts

Dawn Cusick

$44.95   $38.24

Hardback

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English
Chicago Review Press
15 May 2024
""Vividly portrayed, meticulously researched picture"" -Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Meet Ham, Minnie, Enos, Roscoe, Tiger, and Rocky.

When the United States was scrambling to catch up to the Soviets after their successful launch of Sputnik, they didn't turn to Mercury Seven astronauts Alan Shepard and John Glenn. Rather, they began bringing chimpanzees to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico for a top-secret program. The goal? To do everything America needed to make space travel safe for humans and beat the Soviets.

Based on extensive research and interviews with living members of the team of veterinarians, handlers, and psychologists who worked with the animals, The Astrochimps offers a fresh perspective on animal intelligence and the rise of the space age. Detailed back matter provides resources, space mission stats, and calls to action for young readers to honor the astrochimps' legacy and advocate for the humane treatment of chimpanzees today.

At work, at play, in and out of spacecrafts, these chimps played an under-appreciated part in helping the United States win the Space Race.
By:  
Imprint:   Chicago Review Press
Country of Publication:   United States
Dimensions:   Height: 215mm,  Width: 139mm,  Spine: 20mm
Weight:   403g
ISBN:   9781641608954
ISBN 10:   1641608951
Pages:   176
Publication Date:  
Recommended Age:   From 9 to 12 years
Audience:   Children/juvenile ,  English as a second language
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Cast of Characters Preface Chapter One: Wild Lives Chapter Two: Astrochimps in Space Chapter Three: Racing to Deeper Space Chapter Four: Battle of the Astronauts Chapter Five: Astrochimps on the Moon? Chapter Six: Final Flights Epilogue: Looking Back… Glossary Author’s Note Rest in Peace Chimpanzee Sanctuaries Ways to Honor, Ways to Care Space Centers & Museums More to Explore Space Race Stats

Dawn Cusick is the author of Animal Eggs, Bug Butts, and Get the Scoop on Animal Poop, among her many titles aimed at young activists, reluctant readers, and animal lovers. Her books have been named a Best Children's Book of the Year by Bank Street College of Education, an Outstanding Science Trade Book by the NSTA, a National Children's Choice finalist, and more. She lives in Clyde, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she teaches general biology and zoology courses at Haywood Community College.

Reviews for The Astrochimps: America's First Astronauts

"""The Astrochimps is an exciting, specialized history of the Space Race"" -- Foreword Reviews ""Usually relegated to brief mentions in histories of the space race, the NASA program's chimps take center stage here as Cusick draws on a mix of interviews and archival sources to present a vividly portrayed, meticulously researched picture of their strenuous training and experiences... All hail these pioneering primates!"" -- Kirkus Reviews ""With engaging narrative style and boundless sensitivity, Dawn Cusick introduces the Astrochimps, America's first astronauts. A must-read for space race fans, future scientists, or anyone who has ever loved an animal."" --Amy Cherrix, author of In the Shadow of the Moon"


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