Who Was Katherine Johnson? (Who Was?)
Who was? Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Part of the popular Who Was? biography series, this book introduces readers to mathematician Katherine Johnson, whose flight–trajectory calculations were critical to NASA’s first crewed spaceflights and the 1969 Moon landing. Tracing her life from a precocious child in segregated West Virginia to a pioneering "human computer" who broke racial and gender barriers, the narrative highlights Johnson’s intellectual brilliance, perseverance, and quiet courage amid the civil-rights struggles of the 20th century.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson
James Francis Goble
Dorothy Vaughan
Dr. William Schieffelin Claytor
Joylette Coleman
Joshua Coleman
Discussion points
How did Katherine’s love of numbers shape her life choices?
Why was John Glenn’s trust in Katherine significant?
What barriers did Katherine face, and how did she address them?
How does teamwork appear throughout the book?
Which modern careers connect to Katherine’s work?
Tip: Role play these questions
Create simple trajectory experiments with paper airplanes.
Visit online NASA resources together.
Compare past and present opportunities in STEM for women.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Katherine excels despite racial and gender barriers.
Real-World Application: Keep trying when subjects feel difficult at school.
Example Lesson: Curiosity
Explanation: She counts steps and stars, asking endless questions.
Real-World Application: Encourage children to explore and research topics they love.
Example Lesson: Speaking Up
Explanation: She questions segregated signage and asserts her right to meetings.
Real-World Application: Model respectful advocacy when witnessing unfairness.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: NASA missions require many experts working together.
Real-World Application: Value each classmate’s skills during group projects.