The Library Minute with Yoris

Welcome to the first installment of The Library Minute. In Avon Schools, our libraries are hubs of activity. They are centers of learning, imagination, and excitement. In upcoming issues of Oriole Blast, we'll feature select book reviews by Avon students. In addition to enjoying the chance to hear from them, maybe they'll get you hooked on a book.

My name is Yoris. I attend River Birch Elementary, and I’m writing review of Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson saved Apollo 13, written by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Dow Phumiruk. 

The book starts with a little girl, Katherine, who had stars sparking her imagination. She wanted to know more about numbers, universe, and everything else. Katherine was so smart she skipped 3 whole grades in school and she grew up to be a “computer” at NASA. Katherine had done the calculations for the Apollo 13 project, but because of the explosion in the Apollo 13 spaceship, she had to re-do the numbers to save the spaceship and astronauts. The story ends with Katherine Johnson doing correct calculations and sending the astronauts to safely return home.

This is an Education over Entertaining book. This book focuses on a real story rather than made up fun details. Illustrations of the book are very detailed. I liked this style of the drawings. The book was just the right length – not too long, not too short.

If your child is inspired to check out this recommendation, they may get it from their school library, by visiting our friends at the Avon-Washington Township Public Library or pick up a copy online.