Since NASA was established in 1958, it has landed rovers on distant planets and launched telescopes deep into space―all so that we can look back to the beginning of time.

Through stunning images provided by NASA and fascinating profiles and sidebars of lesser known contributors to the NASA program, young space fans will learn how NASA started, how it faced challenges along the way, how much it has achieved, and how it will continue to move forward in the future.

NASA’s boundless curiosity and urge to explore lies at the heart of the human adventure. NASA rises to the urgent challenges we face, using its massive reach and expertise to find answers to vital questions like: How can we learn to live in a more extreme natural environment?

Inspired by Rory Kennedy’s documentary of the same name (airing 10/2018), Above and Beyond aims to leave audiences hopeful and inspired about the future of our planet―and convinced that NASA is essential to our continued survival as we mark its important anniversaries and dream of new discoveries to come.

Reviews
"Space nerds will be hooked; an extensive bibliography makes this a natural for report writers, and the format and generous artwork will attract browsers."
―Booklist

From School Library Journal
Gr 5 Up-This book is a complement to and was inspired by the documentary of the same name created by Rory Kennedy celebrating the 60th anniversary of NASA. It profiles the history of NASA, beginning with Wilbur and Orville Wright and the first flight and continuing to the International Space Station and the planned 2020 launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. Boxes highlight fun and fast facts. Sidebars and larger boxes profile key figures in the field. The layout is bright and eye-catching, with many images provided by NASA. However, not all of the images are annotated, and the text layout might be confusing for some. The coverage is broad, discussing animals in space, climate change, NASA's role in the fight for equality, and more. This ode to the history and future of NASA and the pioneering spirit of space travel will appeal to young adults with an interest in the subject, along with casual browsers of all ages. VERDICT A good choice for collections in need of titles that provide a broad overview of American space history.
-Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA