Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson
by Katherine Johnson (Author)
A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2019
“This rich volume is a national treasure.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Captivating, informative, and inspiring…Easy to follow and hard to put down.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
The inspiring autobiography of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, who helped launch Apollo 11.
As a young girl, Katherine Johnson showed an exceptional aptitude for math. In school she quickly skipped ahead several grades and was soon studying complex equations with the support of a professor who saw great promise in her. But ability and opportunity did not always go hand in hand. As an African American and a girl growing up in an era of brutal racism and sexism, Katherine faced daily challenges. Still, she lived her life with her father’s words in mind: “You are no better than anyone else, and nobody else is better than you.”
In the early 1950s, Katherine was thrilled to join the organization that would become NASA. She worked on many of NASA’s biggest projects including the Apollo 11 mission that landed the first men on the moon.
Katherine Johnson’s story was made famous in the bestselling book and Oscar-nominated film Hidden Figures. Now in Reaching for the Moon she tells her own story for the first time, in a lively autobiography that will inspire young readers everywhere.
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Kirkus
From a long-lived American legend, this rich volume is a national treasure. (Memoir. 9-adult)
Publishers Weekly
African-American research mathematician and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Johnson, of Hidden Figures fame, imbues this narrative of the first half of her life with her daily realities in the segregated South. Stressing the importance of self-worth and education to black advancement, Johnson's parents struggled to ensure that all their children graduated from college. Gifted Johnson did so early, at age 18, and then taught math while embarking on marriage and motherhood. In 1953, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (predecessor of NASA) hired Johnson as a "computer" to perform mathematical calculations for engineers at Langley Aeronautical Laboratory. The impeccable quality of Johnson's work and the essential questions she asked led to special assignments, including hand-checking the early IBM computers' calculations for John Glenn's 1962 orbits of the Earth and work on the trajectory of the Apollo 11 lunar landing module, breaking cultural norms along the way. An epilogue covers the recognition and honors Johnson has received since 1969. Alternately warmly personal and coolly observant, Johnson is always clear in her explanations. Black-and-white photos illustrate this highly accessible memoir by a groundbreaking woman. Ages 10-up. (July)
Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
School Library Journal
Gr 5 Up--From a very young age, Johnson excelled as a student. Despite growing up in a time of extreme racism and sexism, Johnson not only persevered--she flourished. She surpassed her older siblings in grade level, math courses were created for her because she was not challenged enough, and she graduated from West Virginia State at the age of 18 with a degree in mathematics and French. Her first job out of college was as a schoolteacher. She went on to work at and retire from NASA as a mathematician. This autobiography chronicles her personal life, from growing up in a tight-knit family of six to having three children of her own, as well as her professional accomplishments and her career at NASA. Johnson's story is captivating, informative, and inspiring. She neatly and accurately weaves in significant historical events that had profound effects on our country and the African American community, including the murder of Emmett Till, lunch counter sit-ins, and school integration. Larger ideas such as white supremacy are broken down with ease for younger readers. VERDICT While the chapters are a little lengthy for the intended audience, Johnson's story is easy to follow and hard to put down. Highly recommended for purchase in any school library.--Melissa Lambert, Trenton Public Schools, MI
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
In this most authentic, highly personal account, Katherine writes her own story at the age of 100! . . . Katherine's intelligent, softly confident voice helps readers get to know her personally. Johnson makes her own story available for tweens, hoping to inspire the next generation to always do their best. —School Library Connection
JNF007090 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Science & Technology
JNF007120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Women
JNF051010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Technology | Aeronautics, Astronautics & Space Science
African American women
Officials and employees
Autobiographies
Apollo 11 (Spacecraft)
Women mathematicians
African American women mathematicians
Johnson, Katherine G
