Recent decades have shed light on how the history of science has forgotten key figures, often women and often people of color. In the quest to put a man on the moon, scientific efforts often relied on black women as the book and movie Hidden Figures chronicled. This autobiography captures one of those personalities Katherine Johnson in her own words. She writes towards a middle school audience who might like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects but find the white-male dominated workforce uninspiring. She instead inspires with her life story overcoming racism, sexism, the death of a spouse, and, oh, the minor challenge of delivering astronauts from earth to the moon.
Johnson seeks to make her readers, whoever they are, feel like they belong. She’s no better than anyone, she contends, but that also means that no one is better than her. In this tale, she doesn’t deliver technical details and instead lets classroom teachers communicate that material. Here, she relates her own values and how she didn’t let life’s hardships hold her from her dreams. She did so during a time of tremendous social change during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. As both a woman and an African American, she faced unique challenges from this unique pairing.
I appreciate Johnson’s voice even as I am a middle-aged white male in science and technology. I appreciate her deep humanity. I’m saddened that it took us so long to recognize her contributions. Too many arrogant people cast away minority voices, whether women or from other racial or ethnic voices, by mocking their accomplishments. It’s time for voices like Johnson’s be recognized. STEM is a human endeavor that can be – and should be – pursued by all. We’re all better when everyone contributes!
Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson
By Katherine Johnson
Narrated by Heather Alicia Simms
Text copyright (c) 2019
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Audio copyright (c) 2019
Simon & Schuster Audio
ASIN B07PXCFCRM
Length: 5:18
Genre: Autobiography
www.amazon.com