NASA Mathematician: Katherine Johnson by Heather Schwartz -ESSENTIAL

Schwartz, Heather E. NASA Mathematician: Katherine Johnson, 32 pgs. Lerner, 2018.  $20. Language: G ; Mature Content: G ; Violence: G

This is the biography of Katherine Johnson. She was an incredible student with an amazing father who made sure she had the opportunities she needed, allowing her to graduate college at eighteen. She worked for NASA at a time of segregation, not to mention sexism -so as an African American woman she had some hurdles. She persevered and her amazing talents were essential to the space program, and it seems at least the astronauts appreciated her even if the administration didn’t. Includes a plethora of photographs. 

I adored this biography and found it so inspirational. It’s just the perfect length for an elementary teacher to use for a read-aloud and just enough information for a student biography report. There were personal facts and it was overall a highly interesting book to read. I am going to buy the entire STEM trailblazer series for the library. The photographs that are included really bring the narrative to life.

EL(K-3), EL -ESSENTIAL.  

Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author