Human Computer: Mary Jackson, Engineer

by Andi Diehn, Katie Mazeika (Illustrations)

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 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 Mary Leakey, Paleontologist ; Space Bonnie Dunbar, Astronaut ; and Computer 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.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Science, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, Space

32 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2019

About the author

Andi Diehn graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Vermont College, relied on a freelance writing career when her children were young and childcare was expensive, and now works as a children’s book editor and marketer at Nomad Press. She has written eleven nonfiction books for the educational market, and her fictional picture book on mental illness, MAMA’S DAYS, is forthcoming this year from Reycraft Books. She has six more nonfiction picture books scheduled to release over the next two years.

Andi also works as a bookseller at her local indie in rural New Hampshire, where she lives with her husband, three sons, and lots of pets.

Reviews

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book about a real powerful and intelligent lady. She's smart, loves learning, is a good leader, loves teaching others, and is determined to do what needs to be done so she can be where she knows she belongs. She doesn't just help herself but works on helping others as well. It's a beautiful story of a wonderfully led life.

I love that the book gives real information in easy to understand bites and with real names, real history and real historical issues.

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I really love the poem at the beginning of the book:

As a girl, Mary wanted to be an engineer
but because she was black, some said, "not your career".

Segregation took away her path of choice,
until she fought back and raised her voice.

Demanding to be let into the classes she needed,
and through persistence and hard work, she succeeded!

She became NASA's first black, female engineer!
Then, she made sure the path for others was clear.

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I love that there is a glossary in the back and a timeline of her life. It adds to the educational value of this book.

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The illustrations are very cute. I was just confused by why she was teaching basic multiplication on the chalkboard of the page where she is teaching college.

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Nomad Press, a division of Nomad Communications (nomadpress.net)

[Viviane Elbee]

This book is about Mary Jackson, who worked as an engineer for NASA. She was NASA's first African-American female engineer, and she helped design the spacecraft that first carried men to the moon.

This is a good book for homeschoolers & classrooms for children in pre-K and kindergarten - and maybe even 1st grade. There is an activity to do at the back of the book along with extra information.

Although most of the book does not rhyme, there is an odd kind of rhyming poem in the beginning.