Reaching for the Moon by Katherine G. Johnson - ADVISABLE

Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson by Katherine G. Johnson, 256 pages. AUTOBIOGRAPHY Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Simon and Schuster), 2019. $18

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Many of us are familiar with Katherine Johnson and her contribution to the space program, but her story is so much more than getting an American man on the moon. Growing up during the Great Depression, her parents made sure their children got the best education possible, and Kathrine excelled despite the restrictions of Jim Crow laws. A talented mathematician, Katherine also spoke french, taught school, was a wife and mother, and played an essential role on the team that sent astronauts to the moon. 

I loved getting all the background on her life. She was a math whiz at 4 years old! Throughout the autobiography Katherine tells an honest account of the affect of racism on her life and other African American people, as well as the inside scoop on working at NASA and some parts of "Hidden Figures" that was represented differently in the movie. Well written and perfect for a middle school reader. Lots of photographs as well. 

Lisa Librarian