Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani & Maris Wicks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: February 4th, 2020
Publisher: First Second
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction, History, Science, Feminism, Space
REVIEW:
I am… not even a little bit impressed.
After finishing a really amazing non-fiction graphic novel that focused on a specific topic (basketball) in a documentary style with interviews from different characters and a story that unfolded through the character focuses, I felt a little let down by this book.
It’s important, definitely, and you will for sure learn a few things about space, the way women’s space programs were established and obstacles women had to overcome to become astronauts. But, unfortunately, you will probably not feel invested in all the women presented.
I needed the authors to slow down. Why the rush? Why so many historical figures presented at once? Why so many conversations one after the other? Why so much info-dumping? The book that I referred to earlier about basketball had about 450 pages and yet it read so well. This one has about 150 and everything feels so condensed.
It’s like this happens, then this happens, then this happens. Tack. Tack. Tack. Because of that, I really cannot give it a higher rating even if I wish I could. I find so essential that we tell women’s stories. It helps us gain knowledge that can be helpful to understanding how we are where we are today. And it can be hella inspiring. This was decent. But not memorable.
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I’m exhausted from your great description of this book! lol “Why so much info-dumping?” My guess would be maybe to meet some educational standard so schools will buy it? Just a thought.
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Ah! Maybe! Smart conclusion.
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