Hidden Figures, The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race

This month features a picture book and a chapter book by the same title and author. These titles make a great pairing for readers of different ability levels or for a multigrade classroom. The picture book version uses colorful scenes to depict the story. The chapter book edition uses accessible language specifically designed for young readers and is revised from the adult edition.   

Picture Book

Hidden Figures, The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly; Illustrated by Laura Freeman

Grade level 1st – 4^th, 40 pages

Harper Collins Publisher; 980L

Do you love math? Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden loved mathematics and they were all very good at it. Hidden Figures tells the true story of four black women and their integral role at NASA in the 1960s. They provided calculations for America’s first journeys into space with pencils, slide rules and adding machines. They were part of a team of women known as “human computers.” These four women persisted in the face of opposition and discrimination. They used their genius to accomplish incredible work and put the first American men into space. Hidden Figures brings their stories to life and will inspire readers of all ages.

Students will enjoy exploring the NASA website for children at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/.

 About the Author:

Margot Lee Shetterly is passionate about telling the overlooked stories of brilliant women who have contributed much to the field of science and mathematics. She wrote three versions of Hidden Figures to provide access for readers of all ages. In addition, she created The Human Computer Project to tell the stories of women who worked as human computers, mathematicians, scientists, and engineers at the NACA and NASA from the 1930s to the 1980s.  Teachers can learn more about the author at http://margotleeshetterly.com/.

 About the Illustrator:

Laura Freeman is a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor winner. She brings Hidden Figures, The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race to life with her muted color palette and engaging images.  Mathematics is reflected in the subtle backgrounds and echoed in the illustrations throughout the pages. Historical scenes of injustice provide the reader with visual images of some of the daily changes faced by the protagonists. Other scenes celebrate the mathematical genius and contributions of the four women.  Encourage readers to explore Freeman’s website and see her beautiful art at https://lfreemanart.com/.

 Pathways connections: Heroes; Social Issues and Culture

 Reviewed by Cheryl The, PhD

Professor of Education

Southwestern Adventist University

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