Katherine Johnson

In this kids' biography, discover the inspiring story of Katherine Johnson, famed NASA mathematician and one of the subjects of the best-selling book and movie Hidden Figures.

It was an incredible accomplishment when the United States first put a person on the moon--but without the incredible behind-the-scenes work of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, such a feat could not have been possible. In this biography for kids ages 8-12, follow Katherine's remarkable journey from growing up in West Virginia, to becoming a teacher, to breaking barriers at NASA and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.

DK Life Stories go beyond the basic facts to tell the true life stories of history's most interesting people. Full-color photographs and hand-drawn illustrations complement thoughtfully written, age-appropriate text to create an engaging book children will enjoy reading. Definition boxes, information sidebars, fun facts, maps, inspiring quotes, and other nonfiction text features add depth, and a handy reference section at the back makes this series perfect for school reports and projects. Each book also includes an author's introduction letter, a glossary, and an index.

Author Ebony Joy Wilkins, Ph.D., is a writer of children's literature and professor of English and education. Ebony's education research centers on African American children's literature and children's written responses, and her stories for children and teens aim to highlight marginalized voices. Her debut novel Sellout (Scholastic Press, 2010) is the story of an African American teen trying to find her place in the two very different worlds where she lives, the all-white New Jersey town where her parents raised her and her Grandmother Tilly's beloved Harlem, NY. Ebony currently resides in Chicago. More information can be found at her website at ebonyjoywilkins.com.

Subject consultant Jamor Gaffney is a high-school history teacher and contributor to the official Hidden Figures curriculum guide.

Literacy consultant Stephanie Laird is an instructional coach at Mitchellville Elementary in Mitchellville, Iowa, and is currently serving on the International Literacy Association's (ILA) Board of Directors through 2019. She was the 2014 recipient of the ILA Technology and Literacy Award. Stephanie is the President-Elect of the Iowa Reading Association and was the 2017 Conference Chair of the Iowa Reading Association's annual conference. Along with being an ambassador and advocate for education, literacy, and teacher leadership across her state, Stephanie was a member of ILA's Literacy, eLearning, Communication, and Culture Committee and has contributed to the International Literacy Day Activity Kit, Literacy Daily, and ReadWriteThink.