Escape This Book! Race to the Moon by Bill Doyle, Sarah Sax
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on November 10, 2020
ISBN: 0593119258
Pages: 192
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

This is the third book in the Escape this book series most suitable for readers in grades 4-6.  In the style of a choose your own adventure story, this maker gem is a hands-on,  doodler paradise.  Readers are instructed to add themselves to the story, literally, by drawing their face in the empty space helmet.  The challenge requires the reader to take on a position of responsibility.  The three different positions are Mission Commander, Moon Buggy Driver or Flight Director.   Following the instructions is essential to making it through the various adventures as readers are instructed to “draw here” and “tear and fold back the corner page” and go to a specific page.  Many facts about NASA, space travel and historical events are intertwined with drawing activities, brainteasers and quick to end challenges.   Buzz Aldrin, Alan Shephard and Katherine Johnson all make appearances, as well as other individuals, some real, some fictional and a gopher named Amicus.  The book design has been meticulously constructed to allow information to appear after a page is torn and folded upwards in the book.  Sarah Sax is the illustrator, who resides in Portland, Maine, and it’s obvious that she wants to foster creativity in readers.  Although this will be a difficult book to add to the library collection, young makers will have a blast working through the missions.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library