  | Counting on Katherine Author: Becker, Helaine | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
The bold story of Katherine Johnson, an African American mathematician who worked for NASA and calculated the flight path for the first Apollo moon landing.
| Illustrator: | Phumiruk, Dow |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 4.20 Points: .5 Quiz: 196205 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 3-5 Reading Level: 4.40 Points: 3.0 Quiz: 74999 | |
Common Core Standards
Grade 2 → Reading → CCR College & Career Readiness Anchor Standards fo
Grade 2 → Reading → RI Informational Text → 2.RI Key Ideas & Details
Grade 2 → Reading → RI Informational Text → 2.RI Craft & Structure
Grade 2 → Reading → RI Informational Text → Texts Illustrating the Complexity, Quality, & Rang
Grade 2 → Reading → RI Informational Text → 2.RI Integration of Knowledge & Ideas
Grade 2 → Reading → RI Informational Text → 2.RI Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Grade 3 → Reading → RI Informational Text → 3.RI Key Ideas & Details
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (05/01/18)
School Library Journal (06/01/18)
Booklist (06/01/18)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/06/18)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 06/01/2018 Gr 1–3—-Featuring engaging text and captivating illustrations, this picture book introduces the amazing life of mathematician Katherine Johnson to young readers. Becker captures the drive and determination of Johnson through well-written text and a few puns; for instance, the phrase "You can count on me" is repeated by Johnson and once by her father. The narrative details both Johnson's joyful childhood and her fury at segregated public schools; however, in discussing the challenges Johnson faced at NASA, Becker mainly focuses on sexism. The text doesn't mention segregation at NASA, but it is portrayed in the illustrations. Becker compellingly conveys Johnson's reputation for accuracy and her critical leadership role supporting many NASA programs, including Friendship 7, Apollo 11, Apollo 12, and Apollo 13. John Glenn would not fly until Johnson had signed off on the numbers for his trip. Phumiruk's renderings help to elucidate scientific principles and bring the story to life. In addition, the images of blackboards teeming with mathematical equations that appear on the endpapers add to the book's appeal. The work concludes with additional in-depth information about Johnson's life along with a list of sources. VERDICT Sure to inspire a new generation of mathematicians. A solid addition to biography collections.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 06/01/2018 This picture-book biography introduces Katherine Johnson as a curious child who loves to count. She skips three grades, starts high school early, and later becomes a teacher. After hearing that the space program is hiring black women as mathematicians, she begins a new career. Johnson, who earns a reputation for accuracy, imagination, and leadership, makes significant contributions to important Mercury and Apollo missions, including the Apollo 11 moon landing and the challenging Apollo 13 spaceflight. The book’s back matter offers more biographical facts and a list of sources, including a personal interview with Johnson in 2015. The straightforward, informative text is paired with delicate, precise digital artwork. Though in some scenes the characters look rather static and similar to one another, the illustrations are effective in creating the settings, illustrating events, and demonstrating concepts. This very worthwhile book closes with a memorable image of Johnson standing alone, encircled by sweeping flight paths and formulas, which connect her visually with the enormous moon that fills her view of the night sky. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.
