Margaret and the Moon

Starred review from May 8, 2017
Robbins (Miss Paul and the President) traces the life of mathematician and self-described software engineer Margaret Hamilton. Beginning with her early life as a curious girl who questioned (and studied) everything, Robbins moves briskly through her career path, from teaching herself how to write computer code to assisting with the 1969 moon landing and other NASA missions: “Could Margaret use computers to get the astronauts... 238,855 miles there... and 238,855 miles back?” Knisley’s (Relish) crisp cartooning approaches Hamilton’s story with reverence for her accomplishments, as well as humor (“Yippee!” shouts Apollo 11’s lunar module as it decamps for the moon’s surface). As the contributions of women in STEM fields gain increased attention and appreciation, Robbins and Knisley deliver an inspiring tribute to a true innovator. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Marietta Zacker, Gallt & Zacker Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Holly Bemiss, Susan Rabiner Literary.

Starred review from February 15, 2017
Margaret Hamilton was a curious girl who grew up to be a pioneer in software programming Margaret loves mathematics; in fact, she loves knowing about everything--art, music, the night sky. And she wonders, "Why didn't more girls grow up to be doctors? Or scientists? Or anything else they wanted?" Her father encourages her to ask questions, be curious, shoot for the moon. Computers are still brand-new in the 1950s and '60s, so when Margaret discovers them, she experiments to figure out what they might do: simple mathematics, tracking airplanes, predicting the weather. As the director of software programming for an MIT laboratory working for NASA, she helps Apollo 8 orbit the moon and Apollo 10 get within 9 miles of the moon's surface. When Apollo 11 runs into problems, Margaret and her computer codes get them out of trouble and onto the moon. Robbins successfully translates a complicated subject into an engaging text, with just the right amount of scientific information for young readers. Knisley's cartoonish illustrations, reminiscent of Megan McCarthy's, especially in Margaret's bespectacled eyes, perfectly capture the young white woman's inquisitive spirit while keeping the story light and child-friendly. A superb introduction to the life of one girl whose dreams were out-of-this-world. (author's note, bibliography, additional reading) (Picture book/biography. 5-9)

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March 1, 2017

K-Gr 3-When Margaret Hamilton was a child, her father encouraged her interest in space. She loved sports, reading, art, and music, but she especially enjoyed mathematics. Working with computers, Hamilton was able to combine her interests by teaching herself to write code and program computers. In 1964, she went to work for NASA and became the director of Software Programming for Project Apollo. Cartoon-style illustrations add a sense of levity to the work, making Hamilton's complex jobs accessible and appealing to a young audience. The narrative builds to an emotional climax when Apollo 11's lunar module, the Eagle, runs into problems minutes before the scheduled landing. Faced with a potentially disastrous computer overload, Hamilton's code corrected the malfunction, and the module touched down safely. The author was able to interview Hamilton, and an informative note explains more about her life and career. VERDICT Entertaining and illuminating, this book has many curricular connections, including space travel, women's history, inventions, and coding.-Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2017
Grades K-3 Robbins tells the story of pioneering software engineer Margaret Hamilton, whose programs helped NASA land astronauts on the moon. Growing up in the '30s and '40s, Margaret didn't see many women scientists, but instead of being dissuaded by the dearth of women in those fields, she threw herself heartily into all her school work, particularly math, and dreamed big. When she started working with computers and teaching herself programming, her imagination really soared. Eventually, her programs became indispensable to the space program, and her cool-headed thinking prevented disaster during the Apollo 11 mission. In Knisley's genial, cartoonish illustrations, young Margaret gazes, wide-eyed, at constellation-filled skies and zips around with a pale yellow moon, nicely visualizing the boundlessness of her aspirations. An author's note offers more detailed information, as well as some further reading and a handful of photos of Margaret both as a child and with her work. A worthy addition to collections of picture-book biographies of scientists.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)