With graceful words and captivating illustrations, Brian Floca makes it clear that behind the seeming ease of those first steps across the moon’s surface was a lot of effort, not to mention an unprecedented sense of anticipation. As he provides information about the technical details and achievements of the Apollo 11 mission, Floca always keeps his focus on the human story. During the step-by-step account of liftoff and stages of rocket separation, Floca shows an astronaut’s sideways glance at the zero moment of countdown, and he provides an intriguing glimpse at the challenges of eating, bathing, and going to the bathroom in space. Finely detailed illustrations and a lyrical narrative combine to overcome the book’s few flaws, such as the gender-stereotyped family shown following the drama of the moon landing on television. (Ages 5–10)