Dancing through Space: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights

Gr 1-4–Lukidis and Cloud combine their talents to create a captivating biography of Dr. Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space. This innovative book masterfully juxtaposes Jemison’s two passions, science and dance, beautifully illustrating the dichotomy of her interests. As the story unfolds, readers witness Jemison’s journey from childhood to astronaut; each turn of the page reveals the parallel paths of her two loves. An engaging narrative and evocative illustrations convey Jemison’s triumphs and setbacks, from the discouragement of the scientific community to the physical demands of dance. Yet, as Jemison perseveres, the boundaries between science and dance begin to blur, and readers realize just how her unique blend of skills ultimately propels her to success. The climax of the book provides a stunning convergence of art and text, as Jemison’s passions merge in a breathtaking moment of weightlessness, described in lyrical prose as she “danced through space and floated among the stars.”