The inspiring true story of mathematician Katherine Johnson--made famous by the award-winning film Hidden Figures--who counted and computed her way to NASA and helped put a man on the moon!
Katherine knew it was wrong that African Americans didn't have the same rights as others--as wrong as 5+5=12. She knew it was wrong that people thought women could only be teachers or nurses--as wrong as 10-5=3. And she proved everyone wrong by zooming ahead of her classmates, starting college at fifteen, and eventually joining NASA, where her calculations helped pioneer America's first manned flight into space, its first manned orbit of Earth, and the world's first trip to the moon!
Award-winning author Suzanne Slade and debut artist Veronica Miller Jamison tell the story of a NASA "computer" in this smartly written, charmingly illustrated biography.
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“Jeanette Illidge exudes confidence and pride as she narrates the early life of Katherine Johnson…Illidge is upbeat sharing anecdotes both light—the joy of counting ANYTHING—and somber—exclusion from an all-white high school and the meetings of fellow mathematicians. Illidge’s steady pacing mirrors Katherine’s own determination to be the best at what she does.”
— AudioFile
“Slade writes with appealing rhythm and repetition.”
— New York Times“A charming read [that] will help teach children about this amazing woman.”
— Houston Chronicle“An excellent way to introduce young readers to an African-American female mathematician who deserves to be remembered and celebrated.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Inspiring, upbeat, and clever.”
— Horn Book GuideBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Suzanne Buckingham Slade holds a mechanical engineering degree and worked on NASA’s Delta rockets and Titan rockets. Her books include Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon, Daring Dozen: The Twelve Who Walked on the Moon, Astronaut Annie, Dangerous Jane, and The Inventor’s Secret, among others. She invites you to visit her online at suzanneslade.com.
Suehyla El-Attar Young is an actress and writer based in Atlanta, Georgia. She dabbled in radio for a bit, working with several well-known stations as a morning news personality and DJ. Eventually, she returned to acting, on stage and in film. She has nurtured both crafts of acting and writing, working with local companies such as Theatre du Reve, Synchronicity Theatre, the Alliance Theatre Company, and Horizon Theatre Company as dramaturge, actress, and playwright on several projects.
Robin Miles, named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, has twice won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, an Audie Award for directing, and many Earphones Awards. Her film and television acting credits include The Last Days of Disco, Primary Colors, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order, New York Undercover, National Geographic’s Tales from the Wild, All My Children, and One Life to Live. She regularly gives seminars to members of SAG and AFTRA actors’ unions, and in 2005 she started Narration Arts Workshop in New York City, offering audiobook recording classes and coaching. She holds a BA degree in theater studies from Yale University, an MFA in acting from the Yale School of Drama, and a certificate from the British American Drama Academy in England.