Blast Off!: How Mary Sherman Morgan Fueled America into Space

Ages 7 to 10, Grades 2 to 5

The inspirational story of Mary Sherman, the world’s first female rocket scientist, who overcame gender barriers and many failures to succeed.

Growing up in the 1920s on a dirt-poor farm in North Dakota, Mary Sherman’s life was filled with chores—until she finally began school and discovered she loved to learn.

Mary excelled at science, especially chemistry, and leaped at the chance to work in a laboratory during World War II designing rocket fuels. And when the US decided to enter the space race, Mary was chosen over her male colleagues to create the fuel to launch a rocket carrying America’s first satellite.

With courage and perseverance, Mary’s hard work and calculations paid off, opening up a brand-new frontier for exploration. This STEM biography of an unsung and courageous woman in science will inspire and motivate young readers.

Story Locale: Mary Sherman was born in Ray, ND. She attended DeSales College near Toledo, OH, as a chemistry major. She became a chemist at Plum Brook Ordnance Works near Sandusky, OH. She also worked at the Aerophysics Lab at North American Aviation in Inglewood, CA.

About the Author

Suzanne Slade is the award-winning author of over 140 children’s books. An engineer by degree, she enjoys writing on STEM topics, as well as inspiring figures in history. Visit suzanneslade.com.

Sally Wern Comport has been a working artist since her teenage years as an on-staff artist for her father’s advertising agency. She has illustrated numerous picture books and covers. Visit sallycomport.com

Author Residence: Libertyville, Illinois

Sally Wern Comport has been a working artist since her teenage years as an on-staff artist for her father's advertising agency. She has illustrated numerous picture books and covers. Visit sallycomport.com

Illustrator Residence: Annapolis, Maryland