It's Her Story Mae Jemison a Graphic Novel - by Lesley Williams (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Mae Jemison was the first Black woman to go to space. She is an astronaut, doctor, engineer, writer, teacher, and dancer. Her adventurous spirit has taken her from healing people around the world, to dancing on stage, to orbiting the earth on the space shuttle Endeavour. In all her work, she inspires others to follow their curiosity, believe in themselves, and reach for the stars. This is her story."--

Book Synopsis

A graphic novel for children ages 7 to 10. Mae Jemison was the first Black woman to go to space. She is an astronaut, doctor, engineer, writer, teacher, and dancer. Her adventurous spirit has taken her from healing people around the world, to dancing on stage, to orbiting the earth on the space shuttle Endeavour. In all her work, she inspires others to follow their curiosity, believe in themselves, and reach for the stars. This is her story.

School Library Journal Starred Review - "VERDICT: Young readers will love this book. Purchase at least two copies - one for the biography section and one for the graphic novel section. Students will be recommending this to others in no time."

Review Quotes

Gr 2-5-The inspirational, true story of the life of the first African American woman to travel into space. Her career as an astronaut is a tale of persistence and hard work. As if one career was not enough, readers learn about her passion for teaching, which propelled her to new heights as an entrepreneur and educator. The colorful illustrations enhance the reading experience and help tell Jemison's story in a clear and understandable way. Just reading about some of Jemison's struggles is compelling, but seeing emotions vividly portrayed in illustrations makes her story come alive. Jemison's experiences as a child will capture the attention of readers and help them understand her personality. They will be rooting for her through every step of her journey and in her many different pursuits, including her dedication to dance. Her interest in science and work as a researcher are presented in very accessibly and will help readers see a path for themselves into STEM careers. This book would be an excellent choice for teachers who like to teach history through biographies as well as science and math teachers. It would also be a great tool for STEM classes or summer camps. Art and dance instructors will also appreciate Jemison's devotion to movement and her commitment to the belief in the interconnected worlds of art and science.
VERDICT Young readers will love this book. Purchase at least two copies-one for the biography section and one for the graphic novel section. Students will be recommending this to others in no time.

--School Library Journal, Starred Review "https: //www.schoollibraryjournal.com/review/its-her-story-mae-jemison" (8/1/2024 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Lesley Williams is a librarian, writing instructor, book reviewer, and discussion facilitator based in Evanston, Illinois. As a public librarian, she led community discussions on intimidating classics, as well as African American and LGBTQ+ literature. She leads local book discussions about racial and environmental justice, and reviews books for Booklist magazine. Her writing has appeared in Truthout, Mondoweiss, and AWBC Magazine. Her hobbies include clumsy but enthusiastic folk dancing and spotting historical inaccuracies in Jane Austen adaptations and other historical dramas.