
By Suzanne Slade, Veronica Miller Jamison (Illustrator)
A mathematician defies odds to help NASA reach the moon.
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?
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.
“... compellingly told .... An excellent way to introduce young readers to an African-American female mathematician who deserves to be remembered and celebrated.”
Critic · Starred review
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Top contributors: Laura Renauld · Suzanne Slade · The Goodfather