Work It, Girl

March 16, 2020
This installment of the Work It, Girl series focuses on Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman astronaut. Over 10 easy-to-read chapters, Moss uses conversational prose to an approachable, relatable introduction Jemison’s life, from childhood dreams (“When Mae Jemison was a little girl, she dreamed of sailing off into space”) to adult triumphs (“In 1981, she graduated Cornell as a Doctor of Medicine”). Throughout, Moss focuses on the obstacles Jemison faced (“Dreaming big was not something a young Black girl from Alabama in the 1960s was encouraged to do”) and the hard work necessary to overcome them. Bright cut-paper illustrations by Erkas complement inspirational pull quotes and factoids. Includes “10 key lessons from Mae’s life,” reflective questions, and further reading. Ages 8–12.

March 6, 2020

Gr 3-7-This in-depth, well-organized biography about Mae Jemison goes beyond the typical text. Jemison was the first African American woman to travel in space in 1992. Moss portrays Jemison's childhood years as a dreamer who knew that she would have to break barriers to accomplish her goals. Jemison's own words are highlighted throughout the book by Erkas's 3D, paper-cut, colorful illustrations. Some spreads are just a quote and an illustration. One shows Jemison in a space capsule looking out to Earth with the quote, "I looked down at Chicago and I thought about the little girl who assumed she would go into space. What would my younger self have thought if she had met me? I think she would have been tickled." Moments like this allow readers to relate to Jemison and her ambition. A few photographs of Jemison in her NASA uniform and of her preparing for space flight are included. It is also refreshing that this biography highlights the accomplishments that Jemison achieved after she retired from NASA. Near the end of the book, a fun top 10 list of lessons emphasizes Jemison's determination and encourages self-reflection in readers. A further reading list is featured. VERDICT A very well-executed, colorful, and detailed biography of an American heroine. A welcome addition to any young readers' biography section.-Erin Olsen, Hunter College Elementary School, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2020
Grades 4-7 The books in the Work It, Girl series (2 new titles) take a narrative approach to bold, trailblazing women, exploring, with some embellishments, their lives and aspirations. These volumes introduce two Black women who both grew up in Chicago, exceeded expectations in school, and chased big dreams, proving wrong the people who said they couldn't accomplish what they wanted to. Work It, Girl: Mae Jemison tells of young Mae's many interests, including dance and science, and how she viewed everything as an opportunity to learn. Unsatisfied with the jobs viewed as appropriate for women, and especially Black women, Jemison pushed boundaries, eventually becoming a doctor, an astronaut with NASA (and the first Black woman in space), and a teacher. Though the books fictionalize dialogue and the thoughts of their subjects, the design, with its cut-paper illustrations and highlighted quotes, is excellent and engrossing. Life lessons, essay questions, and extensive further reading round out the detailed text. A beautifully engaging biography series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)