Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race

The story of the women from Hidden Figures has had many written formats as well as a film dedicated to telling about the lives of these amazing women. These were women who helped changed history by changing the world of male-dominated-science, the space program, women’s rights and the rights of African Americans. History of NASA, the space program and even the term computer are introduced while introducing a younger audience to Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden. Women who were good at math…really good.

Focusing on the chronological order of their lives and the events and going into the right amount of detail with both, the reader moves along in time. The story is nicely paced with enough information and text to keep you reading, but is not overwhelming to the reader. While this pace does not lend itself for reading to a very young reader, it is good for the 5 to 8-year-old. They could enjoy having it read to them or reading it themselves. The only real issue is the older end of the age range might feel odd about reading a “picture book” as that is traditionally considered a “little kid book.”

The best part of this book is the straightforwardness of it. It is not being “preachy” or condescending to the subjects or reader. It is relatable to all types of people even if you are not into science, math, space or have had to overcome the obstacles these women had to overcome.