VIP: Dr. Mae Jemison: Brave Rocketeer

Soar to the stars with Dr. Mae Jemison in this exciting middle grade nonfiction biography. Perfect for fans of the Who Was and Little Leaders series, the books in the VIP series tell the true—and amazing—stories of some of history's greatest trailblazers. Meet the VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE who changed the world!
Mae Jemison is the first African American woman to travel to space. She’s also a medical doctor who once joined the Peace Corps. And a trained dancer, too! Experience all the exciting moments in Dr. Jemison's thrilling life in this exciting biography, packed with two-color illustrations and fun facts, including the secrets of NASA.
Short and engaging chapters are interspersed with special lists and other information made to order to engage kids, whether they're already biography fans or "have to" write a report for school.
The special sections in VIP: Dr. Mae Jemison include "Answers to Some Big Questions Mae Wondered About"; "10 Things Women Couldn’t Do in the 1960s and 1970s"; and "QUIZ: Do You Have What It Takes to Be an Astronaut?"
The VIP series features inspiring adventures and fun facts about some of history's greatest trailblazers—smart, tough, persevering innovators who will inspire today's kids. Featuring underappreciated historical figures and groups, with a focus on leaders in science and technology, the nonfiction biographies in the VIP series are fun and engaging. Just looking at the cover will make kids want to learn more about these VIPs, and once they dive in they will zoom through stories that read like adventures.
Each book in the VIP series allows your middle grader to experience all the exciting moments in some very important but lesser known lives. These biographies for kids age 9-12 include: VIP: Lewis Latimer: Engineering Wizard; VIP: Mahalia Jackson: Freedom's Voice; and VIP: Lydia Darragh: Unexpected Spy.\nFrom School Library Journal\nGr 3-7-This title profiles Mae Jemison (b. 1956), the first Black woman to travel to space. The text begins with a prologue; twelve-year-old Jemison watched the historic Apollo 11 mission to the moon on television and noticed the astronauts were all white men. She wondered why the team did not include women or people of color. Following the prologue, the text describes Jemison's life, starting with her joyful birth. Alexander provides numerous examples that highlight Jemison's intelligence, perseverance, and bravery as a young child and throughout her life. At 16, Jemison attended Stanford University, where she was one of the only African American females in the chemical engineering major. She wasn't treated with the same respect awarded to her male classmates, but Jemison demonstrated her resolve by reminding herself she was smart and worthwhile. Additional segments of information are listed within boxes to provide further context, including "10 Things Women Couldn't Do in the 1960s and 1970s," "Important Civil Rights Protests," and other fascinating facts. There are numerous illustrations. Back matter includes a time line of Jemison's life, a time line of women in space flight, "Heroes Hall of Fame," a bibliography, and further reading. VERDICT This middle grade biography captures the ambition and perseverance of Jemison and would be a welcome resource for any library.-Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diegoα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.