A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon

(Hardback)

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Description

The inspiring story of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson (the subject of the hit movie HIDDEN FIGURES).

Katherine Johnson grew up during a time when women were not encouraged to excel in the fields of math and science, and when African-Americans were heavily discriminated against. But she was so good at math that she zoomed ahead of her elementary school classmates, attended a high school far away from home, and started college at age fourteen, taking difficult geometry classes taught just for her. She went on to become one of NASA's "computers who wore skirts," women who did calculations that helped the men engineers design flight plans and rockets.

Katherine wasn't like other women. She asked lots and lots of questions, and she didn't stay out of design meetings that were previously just for men. She was so good at her job that she was asked to double check the calculations of a machine computer. Katherine made important contributions to the first flight into space, the first orbit of the Earth, and the first trip to the moon--and back--breaking barriers for African Americans and women everywhere. Author Suzanne Slade brings Katherine's story to life in this smartly written picture book biography, illustrated by debut artist Veronica Miller Jamison.

Reviews

"A charming read [that] will help teach children about this amazing woman."--The Houston Chronicle
"A look into a woman's life who made such a difference in the world."--School Library Connection
"A magnificent biography of an incredible, courageous, unstoppable woman, A Computer Called Katherine is inspirational in every way."--Reading Eagle
"A must-read for every future mathematician who likes to ask questions and find answers."--Mashable
"An uplifting portrait of a no longer so 'hidden' figure."--Publishers Weekly
"Another appealing picture book biography of a successful woman."--School Library Journal
"Engaging."--Booklist
"Her uplifting tale can encourage young readers to dream big bylearning from Katherine's historic efforts, which are too often left out of history lessons."--Mashable
"Inspiring, upbeat, and clever."--The Horn Book
"Slade writes with appealing rhythm and repetition [and] Jamison mixes neatly composed, straightforward action with inventive, swirling images dramatizing Johnson's brilliant calculations."--New York Times
"With vivid watercolor illustrations and an exciting depiction of Katherine Johnson's life from early childhood through adulthood, this is a winning pick for young kids. A Computer Called Katherine offers a great way to introduce them to an important chapter in American history and an incredibly inspiring woman who helped change the world."

--Common Sense Media

An Amazon Best Book of the Month in Nonfiction for Kids for March 2019

2020 Outstanding Science Trade Books (OSTB) for Students K-12 list, by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Children's Book Council (CBC)
2020-2021 Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award
Parents' Choice Silver Award

Author Bio

Suzanne Slade (Author)

Suzanne Slade holds a Mechanical Engineering degree and worked on NASA's Delta IV rockets. Her recent titles include The Inventor's Secret, Friends for Freedom, With Books and Bricks: How Booker T. Washington Built a School, and Climbing Lincoln's Steps. She lives in Illinois with her husband, and she invites you to visit her online at suzanneslade.com.

Veronica Miller Jamison (Illustrator)

Veronica Miller Jamison is a fashion illustrator whose clients include Essence Magazine, Bloomingdales, and Hallmark. A Computer Called Katherine is her debut picture book. She is an alumna of Howard University and Drexel University, and she lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and their cat. She invites you to visit her online at veronicamarche.com.