Author(s): Devra Newberger Speregen
Format: Paperback
No. of Pages: 120
Publisher: Jewish Publication Society
Language: English
Date Published: 2004-02-01
Dimensions: 154.4 x 229.6 x 7.4mm
Publication City/Country: Philadelphia, United States
Edition:
Illustrations: black and white photographs

Black and White photographs A Sydney Taylor Awards Notable Book

Ilan Ramon was a hero in every sense of the word. As a bold fighter pilot, Air Force colonel in the Israeli army, and payload specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia, he was a role model for many young Israelis. As Israel's first astronaut, he captured the hearts of Jews all around the world and was a national hero and a symbol of hope. Ramon's journey into space occurred as Israelis continued to suffer through a horrendous period of violence, and it helped lift the nation's spirits. For 16 exciting days, Ramon managed to bring a bit of Jewish culture, tradition, and history to the millions of people who followed the space mission. And then tragedy struck: on February 1, 2003 the Space Shuttle Columbia and all seven brave astronauts were destroyed during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said, "The day will come when we will launch more Israeli astronauts into space. I am sure that each and every one of them will carry in his heart the memory of Ilan Ramon, a pioneer in space travel." Young readers will be captivated by this biography-with its rich portrait of Ramon in words and photographs-it celebrates the life of an extraordinary man and pays tribute to his enormous courage.