GIRLS BELONG IN SPACE

Hashman honors the brave and pioneering women who have made their mark on the U.S. space program.

A young brown-skinned girl reads a book in her bedroom. Posters of planets and female astronauts line her walls, and her bedspread is covered in rockets. Her love of space exploration is clear. “Planets have orbits, / each star has a place, / but where do girls fit / in infinite space?” With each turn of the page, the young girl gets a close-up view of one of the diverse women who helped shape the U.S. space program. Katherine Johnson leads the way: “They count and they calculate / faster than light, // which is why girls belong / where the stars go at night.” Each of the women highlighted has a unique ability that the girl observes or mimics—some have brilliant minds and strong bodies; others, like Ellen Ochoa and Eileen Collins, have superb mechanical or piloting skills. The young protagonist sees herself in every role—girls truly belong on this final frontier. The clear and concise rhyming verse is paired with deeply saturated double-page spreads that will delight those who love science, space, and exploring. Accompanied by a bright-eyed dog, the girl displays an infectious passion for space travel; readers will emerge ready to join them. Backmatter includes short biographies of the women mentioned and further resources. As the author puts it, “go forth and explore!”

This mission reaches its target.