Hidden Figures Young Readers' Edition - 9780062662378

An inspiring, empowering, and true story of perseverance and brilliance, Hidden Figures celebrates four trailblazing African-American women who broke barriers at NASA—and helped launch the United States into space. Adapted for young readers from Margot Lee Shetterly’s New York Times bestselling book, this edition is ideal for classrooms, book clubs, and history units.

Before the world knew names like John Glenn or Neil Armstrong, NASA relied on a team of brilliant mathematicians—known as “human computers”—to perform the critical calculations behind America's earliest space missions. Among them were Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden: talented Black women whose contributions to science, engineering, and mathematics had been overlooked for decades.

Set against the backdrop of segregation, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Space Race, Hidden Figures shines a light on how these women overcame racism and gender bias to make history. Using pencils, slide rules, and sheer brainpower, they helped propel rockets—and dreams—into orbit. Their courage and intellect helped change not only the trajectory of the space program, but also the role of women and people of color in STEM fields.

Perfect for:

• Grades 4–8 classrooms and STEM enrichment programs
• History, social justice, and Women’s History Month curriculum
• Book clubs focused on biography, perseverance, and equity in education
• Pairing with the award-winning film for media and literacy lessons

Themes: STEM, civil rights, perseverance, gender and racial equality, teamwork, innovation

Why bulk buyers love it:

• Spotlights underrepresented voices in STEM
• Crosses over into science, math, history, and women’s studies
• Excellent choice for Girls in STEM programs and history month events
• Offers built-in themes for writing, role modeling, and community discussion