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Suzanne Slade
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A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon Hardcover – Picture Book, March 12, 2019

by Suzanne Slade (Author), Veronica Miller Jamison (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 386 ratings
Editors' pick Best Nonfiction for Kids
See all formats and editions
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*NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book, NSTA Best STEM Books list, Bank Street College Best Books of the Year list
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.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    760L
  6. Dimensions
    10.38 x 0.38 x 10.38 inches
  7. Publisher
    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  8. Publication date
    March 12, 2019
  9. ISBN-10
    0316435171
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0316435178
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

From Kirkus Reviews ★ "... compellingly told .... An excellent way to introduce young readers to an African-American female mathematician who deserves to be remembered and celebrated." - Kirkus, Starred Review From School Library Journal K-Gr 3-Even as a child, Katherine Johnson loved numbers. She skipped through school, took a job as part of a team of number crunchers called "calculators," and helped figure out the trajectory of early space flights of the 1960s, even after machine computing became a part of the process. This retelling of Johnson's achievements focuses on her path as a black female mathematician. The book devotes a spread to the civil rights struggle, illustrating how people were divided about school integration; it also shows that many disagreed about whether women should work at jobs traditionally held by men. Jamison stresses how Johnson's talent for math broke both barriers. Covering much of the same ground as Helaine Becker's Counting on Katherine, the text is relatively straightforward and accessible even to listeners not yet ready for the inclusion of incorrect math problems, such as "25 ÷ 5 = 4," used as examples of how wrong some people's assumptions were. First-time illustrator Jamison relies on ink, watercolor, marker, and colored pencil to create spreads that emphasize math concepts. Often there's a faint background of the geometric images and equations shown on the end papers. Back matter includes author and artist notes about their personal connection to the subject, quotes from Johnson herself, and sources and credits. VERDICT Another appealing picture book biography of a successful woman; a strong choice for most collections.-Kathleen Isaacs, Children's Literature Specialist, Pasadena, MD α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About the Author

Suzanne Slade holds a mechanical engineering degree and worked on NASA's Delta rockets and Titan rockets. Her recent titles 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. She lives in Illinois with her husband and invites you to visit her online at suzanneslade.com.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.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; First Edition (March 12, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316435171
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316435178
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 760L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.38 x 0.38 x 10.38 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 386 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Suzanne Slade

    Suzanne Slade

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Suzanne Slade is the Sibert Honor author of more than 150 books for children. A mechanical engineer by degree, Suzanne often writes about STEM topics, as well as fascinating figures in history. Visit her on her website.

    Newest books: SHINING STAR: VERA RUBIN DISCOVERS DARK MATTER, BEHOLD THE OCTOPUS!, AND DAZZLIN' DOLLY: THE SONGWRITING, HIT-SINGING, GUITAR-PICKING DOLLY PARTON.

    THE UNIVERSE AND YOU

    *Kirkus STARRED review

    MARS IS: STARK SLOPE, SILVERY SNOW, AND STARTLING SURPRISES

    *Booklist STARRED review

    JUNE ALMEIDA, VIRUS DETECTIVE! THE WOMAN WHO DISCOVERED THE FIRST HUMAN CORONAVIRUS

    SWISH! THE SLAM-DUNKING, ALLEY-OOPING, HIGH-FLYING HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

    *Junior Library Guild Selection

    EXQUISITE: THE POETRY AND LIFE OF GWENDOLYN BROOKS

    *Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

    *Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book

    A COMPUTER CALLED KATHERINE:

    HOW KATHERINE JOHNSON HELPED PUT AMERICA ON THE NOON

    *Kirkus STARRED review

    DARING DOZEN: THE TWELVE WHO WALKED ON THE MOON

    *Booklist STARRED review

    COUNTDOWN: 2979 DAYS TO THE MOON

    *School Library Journal STARRED review

    *Publishers Weekly STARRED review

    *Booklist STARRED review

    *2019 Outstanding Science Trade Books

    *2019 NSTA Best STEM Books list

    *Junior Library Guild Selection

    ASTRONAUT ANNIE

    *Story Time From Space selection (read by astronaut on the Space Station)

    *PBS Books "Best Children's Picture Books of 2018"

    *Brightly's Best Children's Books

    DANGEROUS JANE

    *2018 Bank Street College of Educ. Best Books of the Year (STARRED Ages 5-9)

    *2018 CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

    *The Washington Post "Books to Help Build Strong Girls"

    OUT OF SCHOOL AND INTO NATURE: THE ANNA COMSTOCK STORY

    *Kirkus Starred Review

    *2018 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book

    *2018 Amelia Bloomer Recommended List

    *2018 Green Earth Book Award Honor Winner

    *2017 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award (SONWA)

    *2017 California Reading Assoc. Eureka! Silver Award

    THE MUSIC IN GEORGE'S HEAD: GEORGE GERSHWIN CREATES RHAPSODY IN BLUE

    *Four Starred Reviews (Kirkus, Booklist, Publishers' Weekly, School Library Journal)

    *Parents’ Choice Gold Award

    *Booklist's Top 10 Arts Books for Youth List

    *Junior Library Guild Selection

    *California Reading Assoc. Eureka! Gold Award

    *2017 CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

    *2017 Paterson Prize for Books for Young Readers (PreK-3rd)

    *2017 Bank Street College of Educ. Best Books of the Year (Ages 5-9)

    *2017 Golden Kite Winner for Picture Book Illustration

    See more on the author's page
  2. Veronica Miller Jamison

    Veronica Miller Jamison

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
386 global ratings
Inspirational STEM Biography
4 Stars
Inspirational STEM Biography
Many were not aware of the important work Katherine Johnson and many others did to help push forth the U.S. space program until the award winning film, Hidden Figures, debuted. Written by prolific author Suzanne Slade, a mechanical engineer who once worked with Delta IV rockets, this beautifully illustrated picturebook biography is as inspirational as it is interesting.🌕Growing up in a time where being a Black woman meant that her opportunities were limited, Johnson soon outgrew the two room schoolhouse she attended and advanced to college at 15. Quickly jetting ahead in her career, she held the trust of NASA and John Glenn as she double checked the computer projections for space travel to the moon and back.🌕A COMPUTER CALLED KATHERINE speaks tothe power of possibility, the hope for a brighter future wherever you may lay your head currently, and a testimony to the indomitable spirit of never giving up.🌕
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Top reviews from the United States

Courtney Manning
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story of perseverance
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2024
Verified Purchase
If you want a story about perseverance, this is the one! Nice illustrations also!
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DobieMomInVA
5.0 out of 5 stars In LOVE with the Illustrations 😍
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
Wow. Just wow! I saw this book in the library at my kids' school and I immediately wanted it. I absolutely LOVE the illustrations, from cover to cover. My dream is to have a personal library filled with books like this that showcase the contributions of African Americans. Great job to the author and artist and great to know that she's a Howard University alum. #HiddenNoMore
3 people found this helpful
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songbird
5.0 out of 5 stars Good theme
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2023
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I liked the math theme carried through the book, which also sends a strong moral message about equality between races and genders. The illustrations are lovely. The story itself could’ve been fleshed out more, but it’s a good introduction to the behind the scenes work that Katherine and other women did (and still do) to accomplish amazing things. My 5 year old enjoys it but needs help understanding the math concepts used in the story. My 8 year old enjoyed reading it once, but felt it was too simple to hold interest.
One person found this helpful
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Madhusudhanan S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend it
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
An Amazing Amazing book that teaches young girls that they can make a difference. Bought this for my 6 yr old girl, we read it twice, then saw the movie Hidden Figures together.

She could relate to Katherine so much, having read the book first. Must have for any kid’s library. Great writing by authors.
5 people found this helpful
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Mrs P
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Brave Women
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2019
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I love the math and science in this book! I love how it tells the story of a brave woman, a pioneer in NASA! I love how it introduces kids to the idea of a parabola and sprinkles nerdy references to math throughout the book.

My 7 year old daughter loved it, my husband recommends it to others, and my whole family is proud to add it to our bookshelf. This Hidden Figure has come to light, and we couldn't be happier.

Every teacher who values STEM should have this book!
8 people found this helpful
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KellyK
5.0 out of 5 stars It's Just Perfect!
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2019
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I love the book and so does my son. The story is great and the illustrations are AMAZING AND SO BEAUTIFUL!!! I've purchased 2 and will purchase more soon as gifts! I love this book!
6 people found this helpful
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Guilherme Tacca
5.0 out of 5 stars We love our new book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2020
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Beautiful book! Katherine Johnson is such a great role model for kids and adults!
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cmbmarks
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2020
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I read this book to my 2nd grade technology classes. It made them laugh, realize how important math is, and be appalled about how things used to be. One of the best purchases I have made for my classroom!
5 people found this helpful
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