Hidden Figures Young Readers' Edition

Great history, and I enjoyed that the book centered on specific women's stories. Not a totally riveting read, but I also appreciated the way the book highlighted ongoing and consistent discrimination. ( )

Bought this for the grandkids and read it first to check out the reading level. Found it to be well written and I look forward to giving it to the children. It's hard to explain how different the world was in the 1950s-60s when segregation was the norm in many of the states. and this book does it very well by introducing you to the 'computers', the lady mathematicians. Reading about their struggles for equality and their optimism and drive to better themselves, their families and all the African American people, is very inspirational. Children reading it will learn that dreams along with hard work will ensure they accomplish their goals in life. ( )

Independent Reading Level - Grade 6
Awards: n/a

Hidden Figures covers the story of four African American Women who join NASA, including mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Christine Darden, during the Civil Rights era, the Space Era, the Cold War, and the movement for women equality. The book uncovers how these four women faced racial and gender discrimination upon working at NASA despite their efforts of mathematical calculations and years of extended STEM careers. Even if faced through the social issues during this time periods, the four mathematicians exceedingly proved their efforts by solving issues through calculations for NASA. This book is an amazing book that can be correlated towards STEM content subjects as well as US History content area topics such as the Civil Rights era and how these group of women succeeded despite being women, as women were not seen as equal as men during this period, or in a time where African Americans faced discrimination from the people around them. Additionally, this chapter book serves as an inspiration towards middle grade readers as the four mathematicians kept persevering to achieve success in an era that was downplayed their accomplishments. It is a great read to teach students about historical events that took place during the 1960’s and it serves as a good read that correlates towards math and science content areas that involve calculations and the orbit around Earth. ( )

Hidden figures is based off of four African American women who faced racial discrimination while working at NASA. These women has extensive STEM backgrounds and careers but were belittled, mistrusted and degraded by their peers during their careers and efforts at NASA. Regardless, they worked as computers at NASA, solving problems for the engineers and rising above and beyond their jobs to help solved issues at NASA. Once again, this is a wonderful book to have within the classroom and an excellent choice to assign as a reading for your students. Stigmas that surround the science world are very prevalent in todays time still and our students deserve ways to know that NOTHING can stand in their way of their goals and careers, regardless of the stereotypes, discouragement and doubt placed on them by others. I would hope this book would motivate young women and future STEM majors of all sorts to feel confident in themselves and have role-models such as the women in Hidden Figures to look up and aspire to be. ( )