One Step Further: My Story of Math, the Moon, and a Lifelong Mission

Famed Black NASA “human computer” Johnson is joined by two of her daughters in this familial autobiography, which parallels Johnson’s life with her children’s. In an honest, conversational tone, Johnson tells of facing segregation and sexism as a Black woman in an overwhelmingly white male environment (“There were things you could count—steps, plates, musical beats—and things you could count on.... But you could also count on life being hard”). She also describes her daughters following in her footsteps (becoming educators and a NASA mathematician), showing how her pioneering steps paved the way for the next generation. Engaging, collage-style art augments the text, with speech bubbles, archival family photographs, and Barlow’s child-friendly illustrations. Concurrently accessible and intimate, this book will both inform readers and inspire them to reach for the stars. Back matter includes historical notes and context, a timeline, a glossary, and an illustrator’s note. Ages 4–8. [em](Jan.) [/em]