Call number
JB MON
Collection
Publication
The Innovation Press (2018), 40 pages
Description
This is a rhyming-text picture book about Raye Montague. After touring a German submarine in the early 1940s, young Raye set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know sexism and racial inequality would challenge that dream every step of the way, even keeping her greatest career accomplishment a secret for decades. Through it all, the gifted mathematician persisted-- finally gaining her well-deserved title in history: a pioneer who changed the course of ship design forever.--Dust jacket.
User reviews
LibraryThing member katelynamy
This is a book about a girl that fought the odds of segregation and the difficult things that were happening during that time. She fought the odds and succeeded; she was patient and did not stop until she found a job that would make her happy. This book is not teaching much content; however, I am
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going to give it 5 stars because of the lessons taught in this book. This book gives students confidence that they can do just about anything that they put their mind to despite the odds. This book is very good and should be read in my content area. Show Less
LibraryThing member aks067
In this book a girl named Raye Montague tells her story about living in the time where she had to deal with racism. Raye lived in a time where segreagtion was a big thing a being a girl was worse. Especially since she was good at math and wanted to be an engineer. I gave this book a five becasue it
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can teach kids about how people had to live long ago and even how some people still live today. Raye can teach students, not just girls, that if you put your mind and heart to something you can achieve your dreams! Show Less
LibraryThing member TiffanyNicole67
This lovely biography is about a bright you girl names Raye Montague and her struggles, determination, and advances in the math, science, and black woman worlds. This book is so important to have in the classroom to show kids you can do anything you set your mind to no matter who tries to stop you.
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Raye, showed me that pursuing your dreams may be hard but it's beyond worth it in the end and I hope to show my students the same thing. Show Less
LibraryThing member nbmars
This true story is nothing short of amazing.
Throughout her life, Raye, born January 21, 1935, was told that as both an African-American and a female, her dream of being an engineer was unrealistic. But Raye, a gifted mathematician, was determined to follow that path ever since she toured a German
Since Raye was not admitted into classes intended for engineers, she majored in business in college, and became a typist for the Navy at a facility where submarines were designed. She took computer programming at night school while continuing to work and learn at her job. Her work station was right next to a 1950s UNIVAC I computer, and she watched the engineers operate it. One day when the whole staff was out with the flu, Raye did all the engineers’ work on the UNIVAC, much to the astonishment of her boss, who promoted her to the position of computer systems analyst. She was still treated poorly however, sometimes mistaken for a secretary or maid.
When, in 1971, President Nixon ordered a new submarine that would be “grand” to be built in only two months (a process that usually took up to two years), Raye decided to try designing it herself on a computer. She finished it in just over eighteen hours. (Her white male superiors took credit for the work, and she was not even invited when the ship finally launched in 1978.)
How did she cope? In the ABAB rhyme scheme that characterizes the text, the author notes:
“All her HUMOR and WIT
Served her well through the years,
As she battled the hard times
With LAUGHS and not tears.”
Eventually she gained the recognition she deserved, and even finally got her much coveted degree in engineering, as well as other accolades. In 1984, she accepted the role of the U.S. Navy’s first female program manager of ships, directing teams of up to 250 people. The author also reports in her Afterword that when Raye retired in 1990, she received what she considered her most cherished recognition - a flag flew over the nation’s Capitol building in her honor.
Raye died in 2018 at the age of 83. Throughout her life she was often quoted as saying:
“Aim for the stars. At the very least, you’ll land on the moon.”
The author was able to interview Raye before her death, and Raye penned a further message for readers of this book:
“Always remember that just because someone says ‘you can’t,’ that doesn’t have to stop you. You might have to go in a different direction, and it might take you a little longer, but you CAN achieve your dreams!”
In the end matter, more excerpts from the author’s interview are included, as well as a timeline, guide to further resources, and actual photographs of Raye Montague.
Daniel Rieley created cartoon-like illustrations that manage to be simple and expressive all at once.
Evaluation: I was wowed by the facts in this story for readers aged 4 and up; readers will no doubt be awe-struck as I was. Perhaps some children will be inspired to keep persisting in realizing their own dreams.
Throughout her life, Raye, born January 21, 1935, was told that as both an African-American and a female, her dream of being an engineer was unrealistic. But Raye, a gifted mathematician, was determined to follow that path ever since she toured a German
Show More
submarine at age seven.Since Raye was not admitted into classes intended for engineers, she majored in business in college, and became a typist for the Navy at a facility where submarines were designed. She took computer programming at night school while continuing to work and learn at her job. Her work station was right next to a 1950s UNIVAC I computer, and she watched the engineers operate it. One day when the whole staff was out with the flu, Raye did all the engineers’ work on the UNIVAC, much to the astonishment of her boss, who promoted her to the position of computer systems analyst. She was still treated poorly however, sometimes mistaken for a secretary or maid.
When, in 1971, President Nixon ordered a new submarine that would be “grand” to be built in only two months (a process that usually took up to two years), Raye decided to try designing it herself on a computer. She finished it in just over eighteen hours. (Her white male superiors took credit for the work, and she was not even invited when the ship finally launched in 1978.)
How did she cope? In the ABAB rhyme scheme that characterizes the text, the author notes:
“All her HUMOR and WIT
Served her well through the years,
As she battled the hard times
With LAUGHS and not tears.”
Eventually she gained the recognition she deserved, and even finally got her much coveted degree in engineering, as well as other accolades. In 1984, she accepted the role of the U.S. Navy’s first female program manager of ships, directing teams of up to 250 people. The author also reports in her Afterword that when Raye retired in 1990, she received what she considered her most cherished recognition - a flag flew over the nation’s Capitol building in her honor.
Raye died in 2018 at the age of 83. Throughout her life she was often quoted as saying:
“Aim for the stars. At the very least, you’ll land on the moon.”
The author was able to interview Raye before her death, and Raye penned a further message for readers of this book:
“Always remember that just because someone says ‘you can’t,’ that doesn’t have to stop you. You might have to go in a different direction, and it might take you a little longer, but you CAN achieve your dreams!”
In the end matter, more excerpts from the author’s interview are included, as well as a timeline, guide to further resources, and actual photographs of Raye Montague.
Daniel Rieley created cartoon-like illustrations that manage to be simple and expressive all at once.
Evaluation: I was wowed by the facts in this story for readers aged 4 and up; readers will no doubt be awe-struck as I was. Perhaps some children will be inspired to keep persisting in realizing their own dreams.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rbradfute
In the picture book "The Girl with a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague" we meet a girl named Raye Montague who has began to set her sights on becoming an engineer. As she moves on during that she begans to realize that racial inequality and sexism would challenge that dream every step of
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the way. Throughout all the hardship, the gifted mathematician persisted in her. After giving this book to the class, they can begin to take in some history aspects along with learning math throughout the book, which can help shape the mind in both subjects. Show Less
Awards
Mathical Book Prize (Honor Title — 2019)
Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 (Selection — 2019)
Picture This Recommendation List (Nonfiction — 2019)
El día de los niños / El día de los libros (3-5 — 2019)
ISBN
1943147426 / 9781943147427