Sail the stars with astronaut Charlie Bolden as he recounts his amazing shuttle missions, including deploying the Hubble Space Telescope, training with Sally Ride, and leading the first US space mission that included a Russian cosmonaut as a crew member. Charlie even got to congratulate Star Wars creator George Lucas at the Academy Awards—from space! Follow Charlie’s incredible story, from watching movies as a kid about Flash Gordon flying to Mars—from the balcony where Black people had to sit—all the way to becoming the first Black NASA Administrator. From the thrill of watching lightning storms from the mesosphere to the heartbreak of the Challenger disaster, Charles’s life as a star sailor is full of adventure and discovery, told in his own words along with award-winning author Tonya Bolden. In-depth looks at how astronauts train, work, and live are complemented by diagrams, highlighted vocabulary, scientific sidebars, and incredible personal photographs. Back matter includes an author’s note and timeline.
- Books
- Middle Grade Non-Fiction
- Star Sailor: My Life as a NASA Astronaut
Star Sailor: My Life as a NASA Astronaut
Author(s)
Publisher
Age Range
8+
Release Date
October 22, 2024
ISBN
978-1536216325
Buy This Book
Space science and shared humanity shine as the first Black head of NASA offers an up-close and thrilling account of his shuttle missions, including some of the defining moments of NASA’s history. With immersive full-color photos.
Editor review
1 review
Inspiring Representation
(Updated: June 24, 2026)
Overall rating
5.0
Writing Style
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
5.0
Learning Value
5.0
What an incredible addition to children's biography literature! The Boldens have created something truly special here - a book that makes space exploration accessible to young readers while providing inspiring representation and real-world STEM connections.
Charles Bolden's personal story is absolutely fascinating, and the way it's presented makes it perfect for curious young minds. My preschooler is going through a bit of a space phase, and this book has answered so many questions while sparking even more curiosity about careers in science and exploration.
From an educational perspective, this book seamlessly integrates science concepts with personal narrative in ways that make both more engaging. We've used it as a jumping-off point for discussions about gravity, space travel, career paths, and the importance of education and perseverance.
What I particularly appreciate is the book's focus on the journey rather than just the destination. Bolden shares his childhood dreams, educational experiences, and the steps that led to his NASA career. This helps children understand that astronauts don't just appear - they develop through curiosity, hard work, and dedication.
The illustrations and photographs are stunning, providing visual context that helps young readers understand the scale and wonder of space exploration. My children love examining all the technical details and comparing the space equipment to things in their own world.
The representation aspect is also crucial - seeing a successful Black astronaut and administrator helps expand children's ideas about who can pursue STEM careers. This book has become part of our career exploration discussions and has inspired several space-themed art projects and dramatic play sessions.
Charles Bolden's personal story is absolutely fascinating, and the way it's presented makes it perfect for curious young minds. My preschooler is going through a bit of a space phase, and this book has answered so many questions while sparking even more curiosity about careers in science and exploration.
From an educational perspective, this book seamlessly integrates science concepts with personal narrative in ways that make both more engaging. We've used it as a jumping-off point for discussions about gravity, space travel, career paths, and the importance of education and perseverance.
What I particularly appreciate is the book's focus on the journey rather than just the destination. Bolden shares his childhood dreams, educational experiences, and the steps that led to his NASA career. This helps children understand that astronauts don't just appear - they develop through curiosity, hard work, and dedication.
The illustrations and photographs are stunning, providing visual context that helps young readers understand the scale and wonder of space exploration. My children love examining all the technical details and comparing the space equipment to things in their own world.
The representation aspect is also crucial - seeing a successful Black astronaut and administrator helps expand children's ideas about who can pursue STEM careers. This book has become part of our career exploration discussions and has inspired several space-themed art projects and dramatic play sessions.
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