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The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 5
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

An American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor Picture Book

Mary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation’s first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work.

Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross’s journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. In addition, the narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all.

“A stellar addition to the genre that will launch careers and inspire for generations, it deserves space alongside stories of other world leaders and innovators.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

Format Your Price Add
978-1-5415-7914-9
 $14.99
978-1-7284-2733-1
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978-1-7284-7622-3
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Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 5
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Picture Books, Social Studies
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Diverse Books: Feminism, Diverse Books: #OwnVoices, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diverse Books: Social Justice, Diversity, STEM, STEM: Space Science
Copyright 2021
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2021-03-02
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF007090, JNF051040, JNF018040
Dewey 629.1092 [B]
Dimensions 9.25 x 11
Lexile 940
Guided Reading Level R
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Reviewed, Starred Reviews, Teaching Guides, Timeline, and eSource

Awards

  • Prairie Bloom Award Nominee, Nominated, 2023
  • ALSC Summer Reading List 2023, Winner, 2023
  • Skipping Stones Honor Award, Short-listed, 2022
  • Notable Award Orbis Pictus Honor Book, Short-listed, 2022
  • Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices, Winner, 2022
  • Mathical Book Prize Honor Book, Commended, 2022
  • Notable Award American Indian Youth Literature Awards Honor Book, Commended, 2022
  • Notable Award Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Winner, 2022
  • Notable Award Septima Clark Women in Literature Award Honor Book, Commended, 2022
  • Rise: A Feminist Book Project List, Winner, 2022
  • Notable Award NSTA/CBC Best STEM Books for Students, Winner, 2021
  • Cybils Finalist, Short-listed, 2021
  • A Mighty Girl's Books of the Year List, Winner, 2021
  • Notable Award Kirkus Best Children's Books, Winner, 2021
  • Eureka! Children's Book Award Honoree, Winner, 2021

Reviews

The Horn Book Magazine

Reviewed on 1 July 2021

“Through realistically cartooned digital illustrations and straightforward text, readers learn how Ross’s experiences reflected these traits. Because she valued learning and had a passion for math, Ross was able to persevere.”—The Horn Book Magazine

School Library Journal

Reviewed on 1 April 2021

“[S]potlights the story of an innovative Cherokee aerospace engineer, whose life sets an inspiring example for all children.”—School Library Journal

Booklist

Reviewed on 13 January 2021

“[A] valuable addition to units on Indigenous individuals or women in STEM.”—Booklist

Starred Review Kirkus Reviews

Reviewed on 1 January 2021

“A stellar addition to the genre that will launch careers and inspire for generations, it deserves space alongside stories of other world leaders and innovators.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews