67 pages • 2 hours read
Margot Lee ShetterlyHidden Figures
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2016A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly recounts the untold story of four African American women mathematicians—Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson, and Christine Darden—who worked at NASA's Langley Research Center and made significant contributions to the space race. Facing racial and gender discrimination, they overcame barriers to achieve groundbreaking success in their fields. The book intertwines their professional achievements with their personal lives and the broader civil rights movement. Topics of racial and gender discrimination are present.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Margot Lee Shetterly's Hidden Figures is widely praised for uncovering the untold stories of African American women mathematicians at NASA, highlighting their crucial contributions during the Space Race. It is lauded for its thorough research and compelling narrative. However, some critics feel it occasionally lacks depth in personal character development.
Who Should Read Hidden Figures?
Readers who enjoy Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly are likely history enthusiasts, advocates of social justice, and fans of stories highlighting overlooked contributions. They may also appreciate The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot and The Glass Universe by Dava Sobel, which similarly celebrate unsung heroes in science.
RecommendedReading Age
13+yearsLexile Level
1350L