Tells the gripping story of four female African-American mathematicians who literally made it possible to launch US rockets--and astronauts--into space. Tells the thrilling tale of how each woman contributed, the struggles and resistance each experienced, and the amazing results. Consultants currently work for NASA. Annie Easley and Christine Darden join the women made famous in Margot Lee Shetterly's Hidden Figures (2016), making this a worthy companion title. It also carries the time line beyond 1969 to introduce several women working for NASA today.-- "Booklist, Core Collection: Exploring Space" At a time when segregation was still the law of the land and everyone knew girls didn't dream of science careers, African-American mathematicians performed the critical calculations that allowed America to reach for outer space. In this book from the Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction series, young readers will learn about how these women broke both racial and sex barriers to become a key part of NASA's development. . . .With its narrative tone full of existing twists and turns, this is a compelling look at the women who helped our astronauts take flight.-- "A Mighty Girl" Four women, African American mathematicians at NASA, made it possible for the United States to launch rockets--and astronauts--into space. This book tells the tale of how each woman contributed to this amazing accomplishment and the struggles and resistance each experienced.-- "Learning Magazine" In this narrative nonfiction book, young readers learn about these dedicated women, and then get a look at how women working at NASA today feel about their place in the space agency.-- "A Mighty Girl" Rebecca Rissman is an award-winning children's author. She has written more than 200 books about science, history, art, and culture. Her writing has been praised by School Library Journal, Booklist, Creative Child Magazine, and Learning Magazine. She lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and two daughters.