On February 20, 1962, as millions of Americans waited anxiously, astronaut John Glenn blasted off in his rocket ship, Friendship 7, and became the first American to orbit the Earth.
Although the risks of such a mission for Friendship 7 were well known, no one including Glenn knew the peril he was about to encounter in space. John Glenn was one of the Mercury 7 astronauts, the early pioneers of manned space flight. His historic flight followed years of intensive physical training and a devotion to a career in the exciting but risk-filled world of aviation.
Ruth Ashby's dramatic story of John Glenn's near-disastrous mission in Friendship 7 also takes young readers through his small-town Ohio childhood, his extraordinary experiences as a fighter pilot in two wars, and his life as an astronaut in the prestigious and dangerous Mercury 7 program. The book concludes with Glenn's successful career as a U.S. senator and his triumphant return to space in 1998 at the age of 77.

Ruth Ashby is the award-winning author of dozens of nonfiction and fiction books for juvenile readers. She lives in New York.

Ruth Ashby's profile page

Robert Hunt was born and raised in St. John’s, where he still lives. He is the father of two children, Stephen and Heather. Robert is co-author with Lisa J. Ivany of Christmas Memories, At Heart, and Christmas Treasures. His first three books as sole author were the critically acclaimed St. John’s memoirs Corner Boys, Townies, and Brazil Street. He can be reached by email at: bobhunt99@yahoo.ca.

Robert Hunt's profile page

• Winner, Volunteer State Book Awards (Master List, 4-6)
• Winner, Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate)
• Winner, Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12

“Highly readable? Ashby also skillfully includes historical events in the narrative.?