Blast Off!

How Mary Sherman Morgan Fueled America into Space

Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
On sale Apr 12, 2022 | 48 Pages | 9781684372416

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A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids

The inspirational story of Mary Sherman, the world's first female rocket scientist, who overcame gender barriers and many failures to succeed.


Growing up in the 1920s on a dirt-poor farm in North Dakota, Mary Sherman's life was filled with chores--until she finally began school and discovered she loved to learn.
 
Mary excelled at science, especially chemistry, and leaped at the chance to work in a laboratory during World War II designing rocket fuels. And when the US decided to enter the space race, Mary was chosen over her male colleagues to create the fuel to launch a rocket carrying America's first satellite.
 
With courage and perseverance, Mary's hard work and calculations paid off, opening up a brand-new frontier for exploration. This STEM biography of an unsung and courageous woman in science will inspire and motivate young readers.
Suzanne Slade is the award-winning author of dozens of children's nonfiction books, including The Inventor's Secret, Friends for Freedom, and The House That George Built. She lives in Libertyville, Illinois, with her husband, two children, and adorable dog, Corduroy. Visit suzanneslade.com View titles by Suzanne Slade
Sally Wern Comport is the illustrator of numerous picture books and covers, including Blast Off! How Mary Sherman Morgan Fueled America into Space, Ada's Violin, and Nile Crossing. Sally has been working as an artist since she was 15 years old, when she would draw ads for her father’s advertising agency. Her work is included in the permanent collection of the Museum of American Illustration in New York. She lives in Annapolis, Maryland. Visit sallycomport.com. View titles by Sally Wern Comport

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A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids

The inspirational story of Mary Sherman, the world's first female rocket scientist, who overcame gender barriers and many failures to succeed.


Growing up in the 1920s on a dirt-poor farm in North Dakota, Mary Sherman's life was filled with chores--until she finally began school and discovered she loved to learn.
 
Mary excelled at science, especially chemistry, and leaped at the chance to work in a laboratory during World War II designing rocket fuels. And when the US decided to enter the space race, Mary was chosen over her male colleagues to create the fuel to launch a rocket carrying America's first satellite.
 
With courage and perseverance, Mary's hard work and calculations paid off, opening up a brand-new frontier for exploration. This STEM biography of an unsung and courageous woman in science will inspire and motivate young readers.

Author

Suzanne Slade is the award-winning author of dozens of children's nonfiction books, including The Inventor's Secret, Friends for Freedom, and The House That George Built. She lives in Libertyville, Illinois, with her husband, two children, and adorable dog, Corduroy. Visit suzanneslade.com View titles by Suzanne Slade
Sally Wern Comport is the illustrator of numerous picture books and covers, including Blast Off! How Mary Sherman Morgan Fueled America into Space, Ada's Violin, and Nile Crossing. Sally has been working as an artist since she was 15 years old, when she would draw ads for her father’s advertising agency. Her work is included in the permanent collection of the Museum of American Illustration in New York. She lives in Annapolis, Maryland. Visit sallycomport.com. View titles by Sally Wern Comport

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