Team Moon
How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon
by Catherine Thimmesh
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2006
Great fit for 7th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- teamwork and collaboration
- innovation
- perseverance
- problem-solving under pressure
- exploration and discovery
- STEM
- courage
- history of spaceflight
About this book
Team Moon pulls back the curtain on Apollo 11 to show how hundreds of thousands of people—engineers, seamstresses, programmers, and more—made the first moon landing possible. With dramatic photos, quotes, and behind-the-scenes stories, it highlights the teamwork and problem‑solving that kept the mission on track. It’s a gripping read for curious kids who love space, technology, and real-life adventures. Perfect for middle-grade readers who enjoy STEM and history.
Setting: NASA Mission Control and Apollo 11, United States and the Moon, 1969
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Team Moon right for my child?
Yes — Team Moon is a great fit for 7th grade. The reading level is AR 7.5, which is typical for 7th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include teamwork and collaboration, innovation, perseverance.
How long does it take to read Team Moon?
At a typical 7th grade reading pace, Team Moon takes around 1.0h to finish. The book has 10,500 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Team Moon have an AR quiz?
Yes — Team Moon has an AR quiz available, worth 2 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Team Moon?
Team Moon has an AR reading level of 7.5, which places it at a 7th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.