Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson

John Glenn wanted her to do the math for his space flight even through the computer had done it, he wanted her to do it manually. She worked Gor NASA 33 years. Her life was amazing she started at NASA in the age of segregation, she was in a pool of all black women mathematicians who were called " computers " in the 1950's . she was awarded a Presidential award for her amazing work to get a man on the moon. Really good book

I loved that as I was reading, it felt like she was next to me having a conversation. I have seen Hidden Figures many times. I wanted to read what Mrs Johnson had to say herself. She is an inspiring woman. People of all races can learn so much from her.

Good book to learn about her.

I'm a woman that works for NASA yet I was still inspired and humbled by the beautiful journey of Katherine's life. It all too easy for those of us living in the 21st century to forget the challenges of the early 20th century. This book is written in a way that is approachable for young readers, but the glimpse you get is wonderful no matter what your age. Every child should read this book because it is an example of the real American heros that make this country GREAT.

I just finished Reaching for the Moon. It is a young adult book, but has rather deep subjects (racism, lynching, separate and not equal, etc) so I am not sure how young a reader you would let read this. I would think it would take a lot of discussion.One paragraph really bothered me. It is inaccurate, but Mrs. Johnson is over 100 years old. At the time of Pearl Harbor, she was a young mother living in West Virginia. Maybe this means more (to me) because I lived in Pearl City when I was very young."On December 7, 1941, Japanese kamikazi fighter planes , dive bombers, and torpedo bombers attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The Japanese destroyed or damaged three Navy cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship and a minelayer, leading our nation into World War II. One hundred eighty-eight US aircraft were destroyed.”1) There weren't kamikazi pilots at this point in the conflict/war.2) What about the 4 battleships that were sunk and the 4 that were badly damaged? (Battleships are bigger than cruisers and cruisers are bigger than destroyers)3) According to Wikipedia, not the best source but quick, 188 planes were destroyed and 159 were damaged. There were an additional 3 ships destroyed or damaged.4) I felt she should have mentioned how lucky we were that the carriers (fleet carriers are bigger than battleships) were at sea when the attack happened so we were able to fight back.Minor - but it took me out of the mood.Still a book I would recommend with the understanding that you are going to have to have a discussion with the children reading it.

About 80% of this book talks solely about racism in the South during her lifetime, which was huge, but I would have like to have heard more details Bout her NASA work projects. More than what was mentioned. A remarkable lady and US citizen!

My 3rd grader wanted to read this for his biography project, and we ended up reading it aloud as a family because we got into the story. Engaging storyline, obviously told by the one who loved it. Katherine Coleman/Gobel/Johnson was an amazing lady.

Touching, dreadful, and graceful, the concepts of Katherine G. Johnson's life are still as important and interesting as ever. Filled with love, care, and an importance for education, this book will remain a classic till the end of time.

Fantastic story. Inspiring

Très bonne lecture. Je recommande

Excelente!

Splendido libro da leggere con calma e concentrazione

I'd read Hidden Figures and seen the film so it was fascinating to get the extra insight into the ladies of West Computing and NASA. Katherine Johnson's autobiography is (as you'd expect) - an insightful, humble, educational and exceptionally interesting read.