Mae Jemison (Rookie Biographies)

Recommendation:  FLL Jr teams, as a read-aloud choice or for more advanced readers
Strengths: Diversity (woman of color), positive messages about science.
Weakness: Not much space science. This is a biography, not a book about space travel.

Title: Mae Jemison
Author: Jodie Shepherd
Series: Rookie Biographies
Publisher: Scholastic, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-531-20997-4
Sample page:

This is a small book, 32 total pages, and about 6x7 inches with large print that will be comfortable for younger readers.  The story follows Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to go to space, from early childhood through the 100 Year Starship project.  It is illustrated with historical photos, with photo quality ranging from grainy black and white to to crisp full color.  There's an emphasis on hard work, interest in science, and service.

There's an error in one of the side-bars. Sally Ride is the first American woman to go to space. If this book gets a re-print, I hope they'll fix it.

Five year old daughter vote: thumbs up.
Eleven year old son vote: nah, not interested

Take-home:  Great inexpensive buy for FLL Jr teams, as a read-aloud choice or for more advanced readers (Lexile NC790L, guided reading M).  Consider reading and discussing as part of a team meeting.

Click here to see all our reviews!