Blast Off! is an inspiring, well-written and well-illustrated account of how Mary Sherman grew up poor and even uneducated until age 8 when the sheriff and social services get came to her house and declared that she belonged in school.. She gladly traded in her chores for the opportunity to learn. In high school she developed a love of chemistry, which led. to her going to college for two years (all she could afford) to pursue the study of chemistry. Later she got a job in a lab, working on a secret project to develop a fuel to launch a rocket carrying America's first satellite into space. After much trial and error, Mary's "concoction" worked. This interesting story is supported by useful, informative back matter that includes a timeline, more info about Mary, an author's note, and historical photographs. I enjoyed learning about Mary Sherman, and I think children would too. This is a fine title to use when studying scientists, women breaking boundaries, and problem solving.

I am continually amazed at the things I learn from books written by children. We aren’t taught the stories of these phenomenal women in school. I had no idea that a woman invented the fuel combination that led to the first successful American launch of a satellite into space. And that’s something I think EVERYONE should know. We know the names of the first astronauts in space but not the name of the woman who made it possible for them to get there?
This book was informative, engaging, and beautifully illustrated. Add it to the stack of books my kids will have in their bedroom libraries!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I LOVE this book and so does my daughter! Mary Sherman Morgan was interested in all things chemistry and follows her dreams to find her career. She developed a new rocket fuel that helps propel America into space, and she powers through the male-dominated field on her wits and knowledge.

It's just such a wonderful example of how hard work and determination lead to success. If things are hard, should you give up on your dream? No! If no one has ever done what you want to do, does that mean it can't be done? No! Mary was a trailblazer in so many ways, and this book does a wonderful job of making her achievements accessible to young people and still factual and impressive. No matter where you begin in life, you can reach your dreams, and you can do it with grace and dignity. I couldn't love this book more if I tried. The illustrations are interesting and eye-catching, the message is powerful, and the character is a role model to underdogs everywhere.

This book tells an important story of Mary Sherman’s contribution into developing rocket fuel. I really loved the illustrations and the story was told beautifully. As the book mentions, there are so many forgotten women in STEM, and books like these really help bring to light so much history we wouldn’t have known otherwise. I highly recommend this book.

A fine addition to school libraries, this asks us to add one Mary Morgan to the list of history's lost women. Forget the human computers of "Hidden Figures" – actually, never do that, but add Morgan's name alongside them, for she was risked at a chemical plant having proven herself in the war effort, and became the top scientist able to work out the best fuel for the burgeoning US space programme. Nobody knew how to fire von Braun's rockets, with America's first satellite, to orbit – until she managed to come up with the goods. It seems she was soon to choose motherhood instead of that career, but there's no doubt this is a woman to whom many owe a lot, so this is a most suitable corrective to the Mary Morgan-shaped lapse in the history books.

A stellar biography of Mary Sherman, the US' first female rocket scientist and pivotal player in the Space Race. Wonderfully illustrated and inspirational, this book would make a fabulous addition to any classroom and school library. Abridged biography, timeline, and further information on the space program's early rockets. Bibliography provides sources for further reading.

Like Hidden Figures, this is another story of a woman that is forgotten about by the space community because, well, she was a woman.
In fact, the author had so much trouble finding out this *very* important woman, that she almost gave up, but then she thought she would just keep going, and see what she could find.

Before Mary Sherman Morgan designed the fuel for the rockets that took satellites into space, they kept blowing up on launch. She had to finally figure out just the right mix of fuels to get it to work, and work well.

Amazing woman, she started school when she was eight, because her parents wanted her to work on the farm. It wasn’t until a sheriff came and forced the family to send her to school that she went.

She financed her time in college, until she ran out of money and had to take a job to survive, but fortunately it was in science, and from there she was able to work her way up to working for North American Aviation.

Even though this is just a picture book, I would highly recommend checking it out, and reading her story. Her son, Gorget D. Morgan, also wrote a book about her, which is mentioned in the bibliography called “Rocket Girl: The Story of Mary Sherman Morgan, America’s First Female Rocket Scientist”.

But, as the author points out, even Wernher von Braun didn’t know her name, and sent her a letter of gratitude which began “Dear Unknown Lady”.

Highly recommend this one.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

Say yes to gender empowerment and let's provide such books to educate the growing young generation!

Female child education is still a problem in many parts of the world and even if they are qualified as much they are glared upon when they apply for some particular jobs which many feel are fit only for men. But this is the kind of story which happened amidst gender discrimination and pressure that proved when one believes in oneself there's nothing that can actually stop us from achieving our dreams.

Love the illustrations so much. They do stand out.

A must read.

Thank you, author and the publisher, for the advance reading copy.