Occasionally I get a review book in the elicits a response from my 13 year old. Elon Musk: a Mission to Save the World is one such book. Crammed full of pictures and interesting tidbits we learn the story of Elon Musk’s life.
What I Am Reviewing
Elon Musk: a Mission to Save the World.
Anna Crowley Redding
Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan
256 pages, middle school, trade paperback
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
young adult non-fiction, Elon Musk, entrepreneur,
outer space, rockets, business, biography
Elon Musk is the visionary behind SpaceX and CEO of the electric car company Tesla. He is working on unique and daring improvements to both public transit and solar energy. And then, there’s his highly-publicized plans for colonizing Mars. . .
But behind the mind-blowing headlines and legendary drive is the story of a bullied and beaten school boy, who through creativity and determination decided to rewrite his story and find his own way to make the world a better place. And to do so with a sense of fun and style.
From hosting raves to pay for college to re-writing the rules on space travel, Elon Musk has always gone his own way.
The Details
To be honest, I had no clue who Elon Musk was (much to my son’s horror). He then proceeded to tell me all about SpaceX, colonizing Mars, and much much more. My son gave me so much information you’d think he’d been listening to videos about him. 🙂 He still plans to read the book!
Anyways, you will find images crammed on to almost every page of this tome. I received an ARC version so some looked a bit grainey, I imagine this will be cleaned up for the jacketed hardcover that is due to be released.
I am currently about 1/2 way through but just had to tell you how much I am enjoying this book. It has been very interesting watching his determination and following how his mind works. Determination to succeed seems to be built into his bones. It was great to see the family connectedness between two brothers as they each pursued their own paths in life.
Throughout each chaper (15 in total) are spotlights, road trip alerts, take away armour, bookshelf and many other tidbits. Occasionally a warning would be found such as don’t talk to Elon Musk about capacitors unless you want to know WAY more then you originally planned.
Interspersed are dark pages which highlight different members of the Musk family. We learn the Kimball loves food and cooked for the firefighters who responded to 911. Justine (his ex-wife) writes sci-fi novels. Each member has a page devoted to them.
Recommendation
The easy reading style combined with loads of images and highly informational text makes this a good read for anyone middle school and up. Learn the life story and see the determination to succeed in one boy from Africa who made his way in the United States (travelling via Canada) .
For my son to willingly add Elon Musk to his reading pile speaks highly of his motivation! 🙂
This would be an interesting one for us to read. We are often affected by the tests that SpaceX runs, as their test site is about 20 miles from here. He sounds like a very interesting man.
i didn’t know that. How do the tests affect you? Noise mostly??? it was an interesting book.