Human Computer: Mary Jackson, Engineer - Softcover

Diehn, Andi

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1619307774 ISBN 13: 9781619307773

Publisher: Nomad Press, 2019

Synopsis

A full-color picture book biography about Mary Jackson, who became the first female African American engineer at NASA―includes several STEM activities for some real-world learning connections!

When Mary Jackson was growing up, she thought being an engineer was impossible for her. Why? After all, she was fantastic at math and science. She worked really hard to learn all she could in school. Why did this smart little girl think she couldn’t be an engineer? In Human Computer: Mary Jackson, Engineer, readers ages 5 to 8 explore the life of Mary Jackson, who overcame the challenges of segregation and sexism to become the first female African American engineer at NASA!

· In the Picture Book Biography series, children encounter real-life characters who are thrilled to learn and experiment, eager to make a difference, and excited about collaborating with crew members.

· Age-appropriate vocabulary, detailed illustrations, a timeline, simple STEM projects, such as designing paper airplanes, and a glossary all support foundational learning for kids ages 5 to 8.

· Perfect for beginner readers or as a read aloud nonfiction picture book!

About Picture Book Biography books and Nomad Press

Human Computer is part of a set of four books in the Picture Book Biography series that introduces pioneers of science to young children and makes career connections in different STEM fields. The other titles in this series include Fossil Huntress: Mary Leakey, Paleontologist; Space Adventurer: Bonnie Dunbar, Astronaut; and Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist.

Nomad Press books in the Picture Book Biography series bring real-world figures to life through fun, engaging narratives paired with dynamic, brightly colored illustrations and quick activities that reinforce foundational learning. Elementary-aged children are encouraged to expand their perceptions of the roles of scientist, artist, explorer, and innovator by meeting women, people of color, and other minorities in the profession. Nomad’s unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers.

All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

About this title

About the Author

Andi Diehn is a writer and editor with an MFA in Creative Writing from Vermont College. She is the author of the Picture Book Science series, Shakespeare: Investigate the Bard's Influence on Today's World, Technology: Cool Women Who Code, and Explore Poetry!, all from Nomad Press. She lives in Enfield, New Hampshire, with her family.

Katie Mazeika is an illustrator with a focus in children's publishing who loves spending her days making pictures. Her favorite part is adding the color and details. Katie is a graduate of the Columbus College of Art of Design. She lives in northeast Ohio with her husband, two kids, two dogs, and a cat.

Review

School Library Journal Series Made Simple
"Four introductory volumes to the lives of prominent women of math and science. The reader learns about how they entered their fields, their work, and the challenges they faced. The biographies of Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson also reveal their struggles with segregation at NASA. The text is straightforward and focuses strictly on their careers. Time lines in the back fill in gaps for the reader whose curiosity is piqued. Colorful illustrations nicely complement the narrative. VERDICT: Interesting takes on important women should appeal to both browsers and report writers."

Edition details

• Publisher: Nomad Press
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1619307774
• ISBN 13: 9781619307773
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Mazeika Katie