These books may be aimed at children but I always feel like I've learned something, too, after reading them. While I certainly knew who Katherine Johnson is and her role with NASA, I knew nothing about her life. Did you know she was so advanced in her studies that she was able to move to high school four years early? Since this was during a time when black students weren't offered such advantages everywhere, her family even had to move 120 miles away to make this happen. Since she seemed to inherit her love for numbers and study from her father, a black man forced to drop out of school at 12, this shows family love and support.
I won't detail the rest but will say the illustrations are bright and colorful. Numerical calculations scrawled across boards pop up here and there, too, one showing her atop a rolling ladder as she checks and rechecks and rechecks the calculations of engineers and later herself. In her head. On paper. After all, lives were on the line. Johnson, as many know, had a role in launching the first Americans into space, not to mention contributions to the successful conclusion other memorable flights. It was interesting to see how she had to deal not only with the idea that blacks couldn't possibly be equal to white, male engineers, but the woman thing, too. She persevered. I didn't realize she was once a teacher, so that was a new bit of info for me, too.
Bottom line, interesting and well written with simple but effective illustrations. Even those math challenged may find inspiration within as she represents what can be accomplished when you focus on your dreams. That rocket ship shown here and there among the calculations and doodles was no accident. The sky beckons dreamers and achievers. Thanks #QuartoPublishingGroup - #FrancesLincolnChildren'sBooks for this early look at a fascinating, meaningful life.
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