A Computer Called Katherine
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019 · Est. 8 min read-aloud

A Computer Called Katherine

By Suzanne Slade, Veronica Miller Jamison (Illustrator)

A mathematician defies odds to help NASA reach the moon.

4.4/5 Goodreads · 828 ratings
40 pages· 1,028 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
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Bookroo's summary

Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician, challenges societal norms and racial barriers to join NASA. Her groundbreaking calculations are crucial for America's first manned space missions. Can her intellect and determination change history?

From the publisher

The inspiring true story of mathematician Katherine Johnson–made famous by the award-winning film Hidden Figures–who counted and computed her way to NASA and helped put a man on the moon! Katherine knew it was wrong that African Americans didn’t have the same rights as others–as wrong as 5+5=12. She knew it was wrong that people thought women could only be teachers or nurses–as wrong as 10-5=3. And she proved everyone wrong by zooming ahead of her classmates, starting college at fifteen, and eventually joining NASA, where her calculations helped pioneer America’s first manned flight into space, its first manned orbit of Earth, and the world’s first trip to the moon! Award-winning author Suzanne Slade and debut artist Veronica Miller Jamison tell the story of a NASA “computer” in this smartly written, charmingly illustrated biography.

At a glance
Format
Hardcover
Pages
40
Words
1,028
Reading age
4–8
Audience
Picture
Lexile
760L
Themes & topics
Books about Katherine JohnsonBooks about scienceBooks about women in STEMBooks about computersBooks about America
What readers & critics say

Reviews

... compellingly told .... An excellent way to introduce young readers to an African-American female mathematician who deserves to be remembered and celebrated.

Kirkus

Critic · Starred review

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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
4.3
F&P level
~R
AR points
0.5
AR interest level
LG
AR quiz
504022
Publication
Published
March 12, 2019
Edition
Language
English
Type
Picture Book
Text details
The text was set in Legacy Sands, and the display type is DIN Schrift.
Illustration details
The illustrations for this book were created with ink, watercolor, marker, and colored pencil on mixed-media paper.
Identifiers
ISBN
9780316435178

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Top contributors: Laura Renauld · Suzanne Slade · The Goodfather

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