# Ellen Takes Flight: The Life of Astronaut Ellen Ochoa - Hardcover

by **Doreen Rappaport** (Author), **Oliver Dominguez** (Illustrator)

**Celebrate the groundbreaking life of astronaut and Johnson Space Center director Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina in space, in this latest book in the award-winning Big Words biography series.**

Young Ellen loved to learn. Encouraged by her mother, she graduated at the top of her high school and college classes, and studied electrical engineering in graduate school. An accomplished engineer by age 30, with three patents to her name, she kept learning and trying new things. When NASA began accepting women and people of color to the astronaut program, Ellen found herself drawn to this exciting and demanding career. On her first mission, she was the only woman aboard the shuttle _Discovery_ and the first Latina to reach outer space. After four space flights, she became the first Latina director of the Johnson Space Center and has received numerous distinctions and awards.

This addition to the award-winning Big Words biography series celebrates a STEM pioneer known for her brilliance, persistence, and an intellectual curiosity as infinite as the stars. With dynamic illustrations by Oliver Dominguez, Doreen Rappaport's richly detailed narrative--punctuated with standout quotes from Ellen herself--will inspire a new generation to unravel the mysteries of the universe.

### Author Biography

**Doreen Rappaport**'s nonfiction and historical fiction books have been acclaimed for their meticulous research and varied literary styles. She is the recipient of the _Washington Post_ Children's Book Guild lifetime achievement award for the writing of nonfiction. Her many award-winning biographies include the Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor book _Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr._, illustrated by Bryan Collier; _Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln_, illustrated by Kadir Nelson; and _Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg_, illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Doreen lives in upstate New York and invites you to visit her online at doreenrappaport.com.

**Oliver Dominguez** is an award-winning Colombian American children's book illustrator and instructor. His love of historical figures has led him to illustrate numerous titles, including _Nacho's Nachos: The Story Behind the World's Favorite Snack_, written by Sandra Nickel; _Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit the World_, written by Elizabeth Rusch; and _Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud that Changed Baseball_, written by David A. Kelly. Oliver lives in Florida with his family and invites you visit him online at oliverdominguezart.com or on Instagram @oliverdominguezart.  

**Number of Pages:** 48

**Dimensions:** 0.4 x 11.23 x 10.35 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** September 19, 2023

## Details

- **Price:** 19.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 19.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Ellen Takes Flight: The Life of Astronaut Ellen Ochoa - Hardcover

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