Blast off

the long version

This book should never have gone out of print. The illustrations alone are mesmerizing and awe inspiring. I'm not a fan of depictions of children making fun of others' dreams, even in service of the main character overcoming this obstacle. However, the main character in this book handles teasing, due to limited societal expectations based on gender and race, with unflappable grace. She dreams of becoming an astronaut. And her levelheaded self confidence suggests that she'd make a good one. The teasing is a minor plot point and the rest of the book whisks you along on a glorious ride of imagination, possibility, and adventure.