Category: student

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Christina Hammock Koch: Artemis Astronaut

Christina Hammock Koch: Artemis Astronaut
by Carla Mooney (Author)
@ Amazon | Bookshop

Booktalk: Discover the life story of NASA astronaut Christina Hammock Koch.

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and raised in North Carolina, Christina Hammock Koch dreamed about traveling to space since childhood. She visited NASA’s space camp throughout her high school years, which furthered her conviction. In college she studied electrical engineering and physics and then made her way to NASA as an engineer. But she wanted a more varied experience. She joined the Antarctic Research program, a challenge that expanded her horizons.

She went back to NASA as an engineer and spent time in Maryland, Greenland, and Alaska before applying to the space program in 2012. She was admitted, and in 2019 she achieved her dream of traveling to space. She made history by being part of the first all-women spacewalk. Her next goal: Going to the moon . . . and we just saw it happen!

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The author, Carla Mooney, is one of my former students.
Copyright © 2026 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved. (*bookstore affiliate)

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A Christopher Award!

CONGRATULATIONS, Nancy!!!!!

A Teddy Bear for Emily-and President Roosevelt, Too
by Nancy Churnin (Author) and Bethany Stancliffe (Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop

Booktalk: Discover the true story of Jewish immigrants who played a key role in the creation of the beloved teddy bear, connecting their humble Brooklyn candy shop to the President of the United States.

Rose Katz and Morris Michtom grew up in Russia during a period of persecution against Jewish people. Hoping to find kindness and opportunity in another country, they emigrated to the United States, where they got married and opened a candy shop. In 1902, they read a newspaper article about President Theodore Roosevelt sparing a bear on a hunting trip. To the delight of their daughter, Emily, the Michtoms created a small, stuffed version of the animal and named it Teddy’s Bear. Before long, this cuddly symbol of one man’s act of compassion became a beloved toy that continues to delight children all over the world.

Snippet:

The author, Nancy Churnin, is one of my former students.
Copyright © 2026 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved. (*bookstore affiliate)