About This Book
Reach for this book when your child expresses doubt about their abilities because of their gender or when they need a real world example of how hobbies like sports can build the discipline needed for high stakes careers. This biography introduces Sally Ride not just as an astronaut, but as a competitive tennis player and a physics lover who saw an ad in a newspaper and decided to change her life. It is an empowering narrative that balances personal grit with the historical reality of breaking barriers. The story emphasizes that being 'the first' requires both immense talent and the courage to ignore critics. With a reading level perfect for upper elementary students, it handles the complexities of NASA's history and the Challenger tragedy with grace and age appropriate honesty. Parents will appreciate how it frames science as an accessible, exciting adventure rather than a dry school subject.
