There is a really good book about the space race, just called Space by James A Michener. You get to know research sites like this, and insight into fictionalized stories, of how scientist solved problems. Michener is one of my favorites, I am close to reading all of his books. This one is appropriate for high schoolers. It goes into what it takes to be a successful adult, and gets them interested in the science. Though, t is pretty long like the rest of his books.
Some like Hawaii and Alaska, are great for an escape from reality, waiting at a hospital or airport. Caribbean is just brutal, and no one has a happy ending. Indians, Pirates, and Rastas were cool though. My favorite is The Source, about Isreal. It was really hopeful, but was written before the 7 days war. Edward Rutherford is unnecessarily perverted, at times.