Computer Decoder

July 15, 2019
This simple biography of African American NASA computer Dorothy Vaughan contrasts her intelligence and initiative with the nonsensical rules of segregation in her time. Vaughan is introduced as a woman who worked as a human computer during the 1940s and 1950s. Her "unusual" accomplishment of attending college as an African American woman was followed by a job teaching in segregated schools, which didn't pay much. When she saw that the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory was hiring human computers, she applied and got the job. At Langley, the engineers who were testing airplanes were mostly men (depicted as white in the illustrations), and they needed the help of human computers, who were mostly women. In the middle of the story, segregation is introduced as "one thing that didn't make sense" at Langley and throughout Vaughan's life. But "Dorothy didn't let this stop her. She worked hard. She worked smart." After becoming a supervisor, she decided to learn about the new mechanical computer. She became an expert in computer code and taught others. Vaughan's accomplishments are truly impressive, and this is one of the first picture books to focus on this mathematician, one of those featured in Hidden Figures. Unfortunately, the text relates her story as a recitation of facts, and the pictures lack variety and appear static. This book is one of four introducing young readers to women in STEM; simultaneously publishing are Fossil Huntress (about paleontologist Mary Leakey), Human Computer (about engineer Mary Jackson), and Space Adventurer (about astronaut Bonnie Dunbar). While this book gets the job done, here's hoping livelier titles on this fascinating personality will appear soon. (activities, timeline, glossary) (Picture book/biography. 5-8)

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November 1, 2019

Gr 1-3-Four introductory volumes to the lives of prominent women of math and science. The reader learns about how they entered their fields, their work, and the challenges they faced. The biographies of Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson also reveal their struggles with segregation at NASA. The text is straightforward and focuses strictly on their careers. Time lines in the back fill in gaps for the reader whose curiosity is piqued. Colorful illustrations nicely complement the narrative. VERDICT Interesting takes on important women should appeal to both browsers and report writers.

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2020
Grades K-2 In many ways, these new biographies of women in STEM fields are a dream. They cover diverse, accomplished subjects who may be new to younger readers. Diehn's writing is clear and engaging, and each book follows an uplifting narrative of learning and overcoming obstacles. The text is supported by Mazeika's warm, somewhat cartoonish digital artwork, which truly illustrates and brings to life each woman's story. In addition to a photo-illustrated time line and a glossary, the back matter includes a fun project and a great activity matching primary sources with bolded sentences in the text. Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist portrays Vaughan's triumphs in her career as a human computer and computer programmer at Langley and, later, NASA, despite facing segregation. While most books in the Picture Book Biography series (4 titles) are highly recommended, purchasers at schools and libraries should be aware of a sensitivity issue in its fourth volume, Fossil Huntress: Mary Leakey, Paleontologist.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)