Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly reveals the remarkable careers of Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Christine Darden. During World War II, many women were given the opportunity to occupy at the NACA only available to men. After the war, the NACA would eventually become the famed NASA of outer space. These women would work tirelessly as “human computers” to prepare aircraft and later rockets for their missions. Margot Shetterly notes the adversity these individuals faced, both as women and as African Americans.

Although this book describes the significant contributions African American had on the Space Age and beyond, while also noting the challenges African Americans had to overcome, it was not a particularly engaging book. The enthusiasm conveyed through this book felt lacking and dull sometimes. The author would also add short subtopics and anecdotes that did not contribute to the overall value of the book. It often felt impromptu and would probably leave the reader feeling confused. The book would dabble on different topics for short periods of time and the ending would probably leave the reader unsatisfied. With more time, the plot of the book could have been condensed and intensified. Overall, the book felt like a loose string of ideas tat could have been woven together beautifully

In conclusion, I think this book would be best for elementary students who are interested in the Space Age. The book focuses on the lesser known people who worked behind the scenes to make the Space Age possible. It is also an useful introduction to gender and racial inequality