The Horn Book Guide

BIOGRAPHIES

Becker, Helaine

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13

40 pp. | Holt/Ottaviano | June, 2018 | Trade ISBN 978-1-250-13752-4 $17.99

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk. In straightforward text with a folksy refrain of "count on me," this picture book biography introduces the life of math genius, NASA computer, and Hidden Figures notable Katherine Johnson, culminating in her Apollo 13 triumph. Phumiruk's illustrations, created in Photoshop with scans of watercolors and textures, are clean and precise; small figures give way to a dramatic close-up of Johnson calculating the safe flight path home. Bib.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin