A Computer Called Katherine ~ Suzanne Slade

A Computer Called Katherine

Written by Suzanne Slade
Illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison

As a math aficionado, I was completely enamored with the true story of Katherine Johnson, made famous by the film Hidden Figures. I am equally excited about the picture books designed to teach young children about this truly remarkable woman!

Katherine knew it was wrong that African Americans and women didn’t have the same rights and opportunities as others – “as wrong as 5+5=12.” So, she set out to prove everyone wrong by starting college at age 15 and eventually joining NASA, where her mathematical calculations as a NASA “computer” helped send the first person, Alan Shepard, into space on May 5, 1961! She assisted in John Glenn becoming the first American to orbit Earth in 1962 and her calculations helped send Neil Armstrong to the moon!

This is an excellent biography for children of an inspiring woman who didn’t let the “wrongs” of the world stop her! Read more >>

Buy the Book: A Computer Called Katherine

Originally posted on February 10, 2021.