A Smile As Big As the Moon

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 8:32 pm

Well i finnaly read the book that so many of you have read and i have to say i loved it. It was one of the most touching and inspirational books i have ever read and i can't wait for them to make the movie. Some of you might have already looked it up and found the website but if you havent here is the site for Space is special inc the company that the author started to help get special education children involved in space exploration it alsoi has some great photos of some of the groups that have gone to space camp on there. http://www.spaceisspecial.org/default.htm For anyone who hasnt read it yet beg borrow or buy a copy and read it as soon as you can. The book brought back so many memories for me. The book was set in 1989 and it reminded me alot of the way space camp still was when i went in 91 and even up to 96 to a point. In those days more so than now space camp really was looked at as a program for the gifted. The first 3 years i went you still had to get a recomendation from a science or math teacher or school administrator before you could turn in all the paperwork, Now anyone who can afford the trip can go which is a good thing in my opinion because it opens it up to so many deserving people who have a genuine intrest in space. And even though there is still a sense of competition it just didnt seem as intense to me in later years as it did on my early trips. But i guess space camp in general has changed alot since that book was set or even since the last time i went. But change is a good thing its good to see space camp is changing with the times and i hope it will be around for a long time to come.

Richasi · Post by **Richasi** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 1:12 pm

and even up to 96 to a point. In those days more so than now space camp really was looked at as a program for the gifted. The first 3 years i went you still had to get a recomendation from a science or math teacher or school administrator before you could turn in all the paperwork, Now anyone who can afford the trip can go which is a good thing in my opinion

Now that's strange. I went in 89 and 91 and didn't NEED any kind of recomendation from anyone to go. I just filled out the paperwork and went. The only thing was passing the physical so it was my doctor who needed to sign off that I was healthy enough to attend but other than that, there was no recomendation by anyone to go. Even back in 1988 when I was going to go.

There is a section on the applications that asks "are you currently in a gifted or accelerated program" that is on or above grade level. I can see a recomendation for Academy I from Camp if the child was say in the Camp grade level but working at an Academy I level.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 3:07 pm

Thyat is strange richasi because i specificly remember nbeeding signatures by a teacher or administrator the first 3 years i went.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Tue May 20, 2003 11:24 am

Well since i know several people here have read the book i thought i'd post this link. So here is the link to the website of Space is Special INC the orginization that the author of the book started to help send special needs children to space camp. Thought some of you might like to see it. It also has pictures of some of the groups that they have sent to space camp with pictures from there week at camp. http://www.spaceisspecial.org/default.htm

Benji · Post by **Benji** » Tue May 20, 2003 11:33 am

That is a well-designed site. It mentioned that the film rights were sold to Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer. They'll probably end up turning into a kids movie. I think they should make a real movie based on it, one to inspire people who are too lazy to read the book.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Tue May 20, 2003 11:40 am

Well although them turning it into a kids movie is a possibility Disney does ocasionally do movies that are just great for the entire family which is what i hope will happen here. The movie can still be inspirational and be great for the entire family. And remember if they want it to appeal to people other than those who have read the book and who have been to space camp it will probably be made to reach a larger audience than just kids especially if they want to make a proffit off of the movie.

spacecampaddict28 · Post by **spacecampaddict28** » Sun May 25, 2003 12:29 am

I think Disney could probably do great things with this book to make a movie. I used to watch the Disney Channel as a kid, and they are really good at making family oriented movies that really get a good message across. I don't think they should make it just a kids movie, because there is apparantly much more to the book.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sun May 25, 2003 12:14 pm

Disney channel has had some verry good original movies in recent years. I hope this one will be a therater release though. I still watch some of the Disney channel movies ocasionaly because there are some good ones.

spacecampaddict28 · Post by **spacecampaddict28** » Sun May 25, 2003 4:43 pm

I think it would be better if it actually made it to theaters. That Lizze Maguire movie or whatever shouldn't have though. It would be perfect for the whole family to see.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sun May 25, 2003 5:45 pm

Well since Jerry Bruckheimer is involved i think it will most likely be a theater release. I don't think he'd do a movie just for a release on video or tV.

spacecampaddict28 · Post by **spacecampaddict28** » Sun May 25, 2003 6:11 pm

Yeah, I know who you are talking about and he doesn't seem to be a made for TV movie kind of guy really. It will probably be really really good.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sun May 25, 2003 7:52 pm

True it should be good even if its half as good as the book was.

spacecampaddict28 · Post by **spacecampaddict28** » Sun May 25, 2003 8:20 pm

I think more importantly it won't have a dry and somewhat sucky plot. Most Disney movies are cute, but they lack a really really good plot that would appeal to kids AND their parents.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sun May 25, 2003 9:55 pm

Thats true hopefully they will closely follow the book and keep it true to the story. And if space camp is smart they will take advantage of the puvlicity like they did the first movie.

spacecampaddict28 · Post by **spacecampaddict28** » Sun May 25, 2003 10:16 pm

Well they could use some publicity. Perhaps it would make enrollment increase.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sun May 25, 2003 11:04 pm

True but they need to make sure they mention that space camp now has programs for kids with disabilities otherwise it could make space camp look bad.

spacecampaddict28 · Post by **spacecampaddict28** » Sun May 25, 2003 11:34 pm

Yes, that is true. But they have great programs for the blind and deaf and they willingly accomadate anyone that they can. I think it is really cool that they do that....give kids that wouldn't otherwise get a chance to do stuff like that a chance to do it.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Mon May 26, 2003 12:19 am

True and i agree i just hope they make a point of saying in the movie that they doi that now. Otherwise the movie can leave people with the wrong impression.

spacecampaddict28 · Post by **spacecampaddict28** » Mon May 26, 2003 12:39 am

LB206 wrote:True and i agree i just hope they make a point of saying in the movie that they doi that now. Otherwise the movie can leave people with the wrong impression.

Yet another example of how the media influences people like mess. Movies show biases really easily, just like it is so easy to show biases in writing.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Mon May 26, 2003 10:22 am

Thats also verry true and sadly most people believe what they see.

A Smile As Big As the Moon

A Smile As Big As the Moon

Re: A Smile As Big As the Moon