By The Book: Moon Dust

Looking for the moon, the first man on it and some more.

Chandrayaan II, Satish Dhawan Space center, Buzz Aldrin, Uchli, Shreya Yadav, Sunaina Coelho, Charlesbridge, Puffin Books, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, indian express, indian express news

It’s no coincidence that July will also mark the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing — Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first men on it on July 20, 1969 — so here’s looking at some books on it.

As india’s second lunar mission, Chandrayaan II, readies for takeoff in a week’s time from Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota, the moon — and those who have aspired to explore its many mysteries — is on everyone’s mind. It’s no coincidence that July will also mark the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing — Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first men on it on July 20, 1969 — so here’s looking at some books on it:

Maisha loves the beach at night, especially because she gets to be with her aquatic friend, Uchli, a flying fish. But the night is dark and Uchli is worried. Their friend, the moon, is missing from the sky after she rose from the water. Together, Maisha and Uchli dive underwater — almost a mirror to the sky — to see if their marine friends have any clue about the moon’s whereabouts. The Night the Moon Went Missing (2019, Pratham Books, appropriate for 5+ years) by Shreya Yadav is less about the moon and more about the amazing marine life, full of creatures that can emit light. Why are we discussing it with books on the moon then? It’s because Yadav tells her story through interesting parallels between space and water and because Sunaina Coelho’s arresting illustrations highlight the wondrous world that exists below the surface just as it does in the canopy overhead.

Armstrong and Aldrin’s “one small step” would go on to ensure “one giant leap for mankind”in July 1969, which is why the story of a young Armstrong, his fascination for the moon and the years of hard work and rigorous training that led to his voyage makes for such compelling reading. One Giant Leap (2009, Puffin Books, appropriate for 6+ years), written by Robert Burleigh on the 40th anniversary of the moon mission, is that story. From earning his student pilot licence at 16 to the deep apprehension he feels as they approach the moon years later, this is a perfect moon landing into the life of the first man on the moon.

Apollo’s 11’s epoch-making eight-day moon mission is also captured by Linda McReynolds in her book Eight Days Gone (2012, Charlesbridge, appropriate for 5+ years). Through sprightly verse and retro art, readers are taken on a tour of Nasa’s pathbreaking mission, the spaceship and the gear used by the astronauts, not to mention the thrill of it all.

Paromita Chakrabarti

Paromita Chakrabarti is Senior Associate Editor at the The Indian Express. She is a key member of the National Editorial and Opinion desk and writes on books and literature, gender discourse, workplace policies and contemporary socio-cultural trends. Professional Profile With a career spanning over 20 years, her work is characterized by a "deep culture" approach—examining how literature, gender, and social policy intersect with contemporary life. Specialization: Books and publishing, gender discourse (specifically workplace dynamics), and modern socio-cultural trends. Editorial Role: She curates the literary coverage for the paper, overseeing reviews, author profiles, and long-form features on global literary awards. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent writing highlights a blend of literary expertise and sharp social commentary: 1. Literary Coverage & Nobel/Booker Awards "2025 Nobel Prize in Literature | Hungarian master of apocalypse" (Oct 10, 2025): An in-depth analysis of László Krasznahorkai’s win, exploring his themes of despair and grace. "Everything you need to know about the Booker Prize 2025" (Nov 10, 2025): A comprehensive guide to the history and top contenders of the year. "Katie Kitamura's Audition turns life into a stage" (Nov 8, 2025): A review of the novel’s exploration of self-recognition and performance. 2. Gender & Workplace Policy "Karnataka’s menstrual leave policy: The problem isn’t periods. It’s that workplaces are built for men" (Oct 13, 2025): A viral opinion piece arguing that modern workplace patterns are calibrated to male biology, making women's rights feel like "concessions." "Best of Both Sides: For women’s cricket, it’s 1978, not 1983" (Nov 7, 2025): A piece on how the yardstick of men's cricket cannot accurately measure the revolution in the women's game. 3. Social Trends & Childhood Crisis "The kids are not alright: An unprecedented crisis is brewing in schools and homes" (Nov 23, 2025): Writing as the Opinions Editor, she analyzed how rising competition and digital overload are overwhelming children. 4. Author Interviews & Profiles "Fame is another kind of loneliness: Kiran Desai on her Booker-shortlisted novel" (Sept 23, 2025): An interview regarding The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. "Once you’ve had a rocky and unsafe childhood, you can’t trust safety: Arundhati Roy" (Aug 30, 2025): A profile on Roy’s recent reflections on personal and political violence. Signature Beats Gender Lens: She frequently critiques the "borrowed terms" on which women navigate pregnancy, menstruation, and caregiving in the corporate world. Book Reviews: Her reviews often draw parallels between literature and other media, such as comparing Richard Osman’s The Impossible Fortune to the series Only Murders in the Building (Oct 25, 2025). ... Read More