Albert II

February 15, 2012
Grades 1-3 This short, nonfiction graphic novel, part of the Famous Firsts: Animals Making History series, is narrated by Albert II, the first monkey in space, who traveled in a V-2 rocket on June 14, 1949. Most of the book is spent on a brief history of space research up to 1949 (focusing on WWII and the immediate postwar years) and about the use of animals in early space flights by researchers in both the USSR and the U.S. Some young readers might find it a bit jarring when Albert II narrates that he died in the landing of his rocket. Ben Dunn's colorful, cartoony art includes lots of pictures of rockets, which could attract young readers looking for books about technology. Back matter includes facts about Albert II, a glossary, and an index. Libraries in need of additional material about the space race, animals, and technology for their younger readers could find this useful.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)