Reading with children can improve their language, literacy, and social-emotional skills, increasing their knowledge of the world around them.

Mae Among the Stars

By Mae Jemison

We are Reading:  

When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering. Little Mae is a girl with big dreams, a supportive loving family, unbounded passion, and all the right stuff to dance
among the stars. Against all odds, she will overcome any obstacle to become an astronaut one day. This is not the typical picture book biography. It’s accessible and bursts with color—which makes it perfect for the young readers who too have big dreams and even bigger hearts! Mae’s story will inspire children to persevere, even in the face of doubt, and remind them that, if you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.

Family Connections:

As children learn to read, they begin to make connections. These connections might be with elements of their own lives or with things they have learned about the world around them. In this way, they are thinking beyond the text, which helps them better understand the
books they are reading. Mae Among the Stars is about a real person- the first Black woman to become an astronaut. The last page in the book provides additional information about Mae and some of the real things she accomplished in her life. You can help your child think beyond the text by working together to learn more about Mae Jemison or other astronauts. When your child gains new information, they may have new insights or become more engaged in the ideas in the book when you reread the text.

We are Listening to:

Mae Among the Stars

We are making curriculum connections:

Civics for All: Civic Action & Ideals, Role of the Individual

DEI Focus: Dream big and pursue your passions, no matter what obstacles you might face.

SEL Theme: Self-Belief; Growth Mindset

Students of the Month: In recognition of students who face challenges with confidence
and believe in themselves.

More Than A Book:

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE?

MATERIALS: Paper, things to draw and write with like crayons or markers.

Provide your child with paper and writing or drawing materials. Ask them what they want to be when they grow up and have them draw a picture of themselves in their dream job. Encourage them to add details in the picture. What would they be wearing? What tools or instruments might they need? Where would they be and what would be around them? Use these details to
spark other conversations about their interests. What will they need to learn? What kinds of things will they need to do to achieve their dream like Mae?

One Book, One School Community…

“The idea is that… (a community) that opens the same book does it in greater harmony.” -Mary McGrory, 2002