The Six -- Young Readers Edition - by Loren Grush (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Sally Ride may have been the first US woman in space, but did you know there were five other incredible American women who helped blaze the trail for female astronauts by her side? When NASA sent astronauts to the moon in the 1960s and 1970s, the agency excluded women from the corps, arguing that only military test pilots-a group women were also aggressively barred from-had the right stuff. But as the 1980s dawned so did new thinking, and six elite women scientists-Sally Ride, Judith Resnik, Anna Lee Fisher, Kathy Sullivan, Shannon Lucid, and Rhea Seddon-set out to prove they had exactly the right stuff to become the first US women astronauts. In The Six Young Readers Edition, acclaimed journalist Loren Grush shows how these brilliant and courageous women fought to enter STEM fields they were discouraged from pursuing, endured claustrophobic-and often deeply sexist-media attention, underwent rigorous survival training, and prepared for years to take multi-million-dollar equipment into orbit. Told with contributions from nearly all the living participants and now adapted for young readers, this book is an inspiring testament to their struggles, accomplishments, and sacrifices and how they built the tools that made the space program run. It's a legacy that lives on to inspire young people today."--

Book Synopsis

Two starred reviews!

The extraordinary true story of America's first female astronauts hailed as "suspenseful, meticulously observed, enlightening" by Margot Lee Shetterly, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Figures, now adapted for young readers.

Sally Ride may have been the first US woman in space, but did you know there were five other incredible American women who helped blaze the trail for female astronauts by her side?

When NASA sent astronauts to the moon in the 1960s and 1970s, the agency excluded women from the corps, arguing that only military test pilots--a group women were also aggressively barred from--had the right stuff. But as the 1980s dawned so did new thinking, and six elite women scientists--Sally Ride, Judith Resnik, Anna Lee Fisher, Kathy Sullivan, Shannon Lucid, and Rhea Seddon--set out to prove they had exactly the right stuff to become the first US women astronauts.

In The Six Young Readers Edition, acclaimed journalist Loren Grush shows how these brilliant and courageous women fought to enter STEM fields they were discouraged from pursuing, endured claustrophobic--and often deeply sexist--media attention, underwent rigorous survival training, and prepared for years to take multi-million-dollar equipment into orbit.

Told with contributions from nearly all the living participants and now adapted for young readers, this book is an inspiring testament to their struggles, accomplishments, and sacrifices and how they built the tools that made the space program run. It's a legacy that lives on to inspire young people today.

Review Quotes

"Thoroughly engaging...this will capture the attention of STEM-minded aspiring astronauts."--Booklist "February 2025"

* "What sets this work apart is its ability to weave personal struggles with broader social themes....Richly detailed and deeply human, this title serves as both an inspiring tribute to its subjects and a thought-provoking examination of the ongoing journey toward gender equity in STEM."--School Library Journal, starred review "February 2025"

* "Packed with emotion and heart, the work provides powerful insights into the astronauts' hopes and ambitions as they broke incredible barriers themselves and paved the way for other women....This riveting account is an effortless and irresistible read that many young readers will find difficult to set down. A superbly executed account of women astronauts who achieved greatness despite overwhelming challenges."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review "December 2025"

"For explorers of all ages, this inspiring account is filled with stories of courage, perseverance, and aspiration. Through challenges, triumphs, and heartbreaks, The Six Young Readers Edition underscores the power of dreaming big and never giving up. The Six will leave you wanting to look up into the stars with wonder and to reach for your own fistful of space."--Jennifer Willis, "Why We Look Up" columnist for Sky & Telescope magazine

About the Author

Loren Grush is a space reporter for Bloomberg, where she covers everything from NASA, human spaceflight, and the booming commercial space industry to distant stars and planets. The daughter of two NASA engineers, she grew up surrounded by space shuttles and rocket scientists--literally. Prior to joining Bloomberg, she was a senior science reporter for The Verge, where she covered space and hosted her own online video series called Space Craft, a show that examined what it takes to send people into the cosmos. Loren has also published stories in Popular Science, The New York Times, Nautilus magazine, Digital Trends, and more.

Rebecca Stefoff published her first books when she was in college and has been writing ever since. She has written many nonfiction books for children and young adults, with an emphasis on science and history. Through her books, teenage readers can explore topics as varied as ghosts, robots, bacteria, evolution, women pioneers, the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, forensic crime solving, and more. She lives in Portland, Oregon.