The Best Katherine Johnson Books for Kids

The Extraordinary Life of Katherine Johnson

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$574

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2020

The Extraordinary Life of Katherine Johnson

By Devika Jina, Maggie Cole (Illustrator) · Extraordinary Lives series

A young math enthusiast defies odds to help launch humanity to the moon.

128 pages

4.3/5 Goodreads · 136 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Summary: Discover the journey of a young girl with a passion for numbers who defies all odds. Through determination and brilliance, she becomes the mathematician pivotal in sending the first humans to the moon. What challenges did she face, and how did her love for math change the world? Dive into her inspiring story of perseverance and groundbreaking achievements.

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$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Grasping Mysteries

By Jeannine Atkins

Discover the untold stories of seven women who transformed science and math.

320 pages· 32,189 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 142 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Journey through time with seven pioneering women who defied norms to revolutionize science and math. From Caroline Herschel's celestial discoveries to Katherine Johnson's NASA calculations, each story unfolds in vivid verse, revealing the challenges and triumphs that shaped their groundbreaking contributions. How did these women use their brilliance to change the world? Uncover the mysteries and marvels of their extraordinary lives.

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$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2019

Reaching for the Moon

By Katherine Johnson

A mathematician defies racism and sexism to help launch Apollo 11.

256 pages· 44,090 words· Est. 5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,829 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician, battles racism and sexism to join NASA in the 1950s. Her calculations are crucial to the Apollo 11 mission, landing the first men on the moon. Discover her inspiring journey of resilience and groundbreaking achievements in 'Reaching for the Moon.'

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$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2017

Katherine Johnson

By Thea Feldman, Alyssa Petersen (Illustrator) · You Should Meet series

Discover the mathematician whose calculations launched NASA's early missions.

48 pages· 2,334 words· Est. 26 min read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 170 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Meet Katherine Johnson, the brilliant mind behind NASA's early space missions. Her hand-calculated trajectories were crucial for the Mercury and Apollo programs, including the historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Journey through her groundbreaking career and explore how her genius shaped history. What challenges did she overcome, and how did her work inspire future generations? Dive into this captivating biography and uncover the legacy of one of America's greatest mathematicians. With additional insights into history and math, this book is perfect for aspiring math enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

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$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

Counting the Stars

By Lesa Cline-Ransome, Raúl Colón (Illustrator)

A mathematician's calculations are crucial for a historic space mission.

32 pages· 1,772 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud

4.2/5 Goodreads · 371 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician, defies the odds in 1950s Virginia, where segregation laws prevail. As NASA prepares for John Glenn's orbital mission, her calculations become indispensable. With pencils and paper, she charts the path to space, proving her unmatched skills. Her story, celebrated in an Oscar-nominated film, highlights her pivotal role in space exploration. Discover her inspiring journey in this beautifully illustrated picture book.

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$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

A Computer Called Katherine

By Suzanne Slade, Veronica Miller Jamison (Illustrator)

A mathematician defies odds to help NASA reach the moon.

40 pages· 1,028 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

4.4/5 Goodreads · 828 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

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?

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2018

Counting on Katherine

By Helaine Becker, Dow Phumiruk (Illustrator)

A mathematician's calculations save Apollo 13. Discover her untold story.

40 pages· 1,022 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

4.5/5 Goodreads · 1,614 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Summary: Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician, defied the odds at NASA during the space race. Her calculations were crucial in ensuring the safe return of Apollo 13. From counting steps as a child to solving complex equations, Katherine's journey is one of courage and intellect. How did her passion for numbers change the course of history and save lives? Uncover the story of this groundbreaking woman who made her mark in a male-dominated field, proving that determination and genius know no bounds. What challenges did she face, and how did she overcome them to become a hero?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2021

The Story of Katherine Johnson

By Andrea Thorpe · The Story of series

A young girl defies odds to become a NASA pioneer in space exploration.

64 pages· 3,969 words· Est. 45 min read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 31 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Summary: Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician, defies societal barriers to become one of NASA's first Black female mathematicians. From her childhood curiosity in West Virginia to groundbreaking contributions in space exploration, her journey is one of perseverance and intellect. As she tackles complex calculations that ensure the safety of American astronauts, Katherine's story inspires young readers to reach for the stars. How did her achievements shape the future of space travel, and what legacy does she leave for aspiring scientists? Discover the remarkable life of a woman who transformed her dreams into reality and changed history forever.

Sale price

$2911

Picture Book · Ages 5–6 · 2018

Katherine Johnson

By Virginia Loh-Hagan, Jeff Bane (Illustrator) · My Itty-Bitty Bio series

Discover the inspiring journey of a NASA mathematician.

24 pages· 127 words· Est. 1 min read-aloud

3.1/5 Goodreads · 8 ratings

$30.64Save 5%

Summary: Explore the remarkable life of Katherine Johnson, a pioneering NASA mathematician. This engaging biography introduces young readers to her groundbreaking achievements and the challenges she overcame. What made her calculations so vital to space exploration?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2017

NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson

By Heather E. Schwartz · STEM Trailblazer Bios series

An African American woman defies odds to become a NASA mathematician.

32 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 32 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Katherine Johnson, an African American woman, defies societal expectations to pursue her passion for math. Joining NASA, she faces challenges in a male-dominated field but earns respect through her groundbreaking calculations. Her work becomes crucial in sending astronauts to the moon, breaking barriers and changing history. Discover how her determination and brilliance reshaped the space program.

The Best Katherine Johnson Books for Kids

Our 10 Favorite Books About Katherine Johnson

The Extraordinary Life of Katherine Johnson

Grasping Mysteries

Reaching for the Moon

Katherine Johnson

Counting the Stars

A Computer Called Katherine

Counting on Katherine

The Story of Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson

NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson

Great books, picked for their age.

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