
Age rating and parents' guide:Hidden Figures (Young Readers' Edition)
by Margot Lee Shetterly
Ages 9–14
Hidden Figures (Young Readers' Edition) by Margot Lee Shetterly is best for children aged 9–14. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Historical racism themes.
This inspiring non-fiction book shares the true story of four brilliant African American female mathematicians—Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden—who played vital roles in NASA's early space missions. Readers follow their perseverance as they overcome systemic racial segregation and gender barriers to calculate trajectories for historic flights. It offers an eye-opening blend of history and science that encourages curiosity, fairness, and determination.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- None
- Scary moments
- None
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: Historical racism themes
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Non-fiction
- A steady start that picks up quickly
- Some illustrations
- Emotionally light
Great for kids who like
- Science Fiction & Space
- Action & Adventure
- Space
Reading mood
- Adventurous
- Informative
Good to talk about
- Science Fiction & Space
- Action & Adventure
Books like Hidden Figures (Young Readers' Edition)
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.

Ages 9–11
Zita the Spacegirl
by Ben Hatke
When her best friend is suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal, Zita doesn't hesitate to jump in after him. She lands on an alien planet facing total destruction and must navigate a strange new world full of quirky creatures, friendly monsters, and neurotic robots. Along the way, she takes on the mantle of an unlikely hero to save her friend and help those in need. It is an energetic, fast-paced graphic novel with charming art, humor, and a strong, courageous heroine who learns the true meaning of friendship and sacrifice.

Ages 12–14
I Am Malala (Young Readers Edition)
by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick
Growing up in Pakistan's Swat Valley, Malala Yousafzai loved school and learning. When the Taliban took control of her region and banned girls from attending classes, she spoke out publicly for her right to an education, making her a target for violence. Adapted for younger readers, this memoir offers an intimate, inspiring look at a girl's ordinary life turned extraordinary. Readers are drawn to Malala's courage, warmth, and determination to stand up against injustice.

Ages 6–11
Counting on Katherine
by Helaine Becker
From a young age, Katherine Johnson counted everything around her, driven by a deep curiosity and love for mathematics. Despite facing barriers due to her race and gender, she pursued her education and joined NASA, where her precise calculations helped launch the first American into space and safely navigate the Apollo 13 mission. This inspiring picture book introduces young readers to a pioneering thinker, highlighting the power of perseverance and showing how a passion for numbers can solve real-world problems.

Ages 9–11
George's Secret Key to the Universe
by Lucy & Stephen Hawking
George's pet pig escapes into the next-door garden, leading him to meet his eccentric neighbor Eric and Eric's daughter Annie. Eric owns Cosmos, an incredible supercomputer capable of opening doorways into outer space. When a sinister teacher schemes to steal Cosmos, George finds himself on an extraordinary journey through the cosmos to save the day. Blending an exciting science-fiction adventure with real astrophysics explained clearly, it is an engaging ride for curious young readers fascinated by the stars.

Ages 6–11
Magic Tree House Fact Trackers
by Mary Pope Osborne & Natalie Pope Boyce
These companion guides to the Magic Tree House fiction series let young readers dig deeper into the real-world science, history, and animals behind Jack and Annie's adventures. Filled with simple facts, engaging illustrations, photos, and easy-to-digest chapters, each guide explores topics ranging from ancient civilizations and dinosaurs to extreme weather and space. Curious children enjoy discovering the true stories and trivia behind their favorite fictional journeys.

Ages 9–11
National Geographic Kids Why?
by Crispin Boyer
Packed with answers to quirky and fascinating questions, this colorful reference guide covers everything from the human body and animal behavior to outer space and everyday mysteries. Bright photographs, diagrams, and lively explanations make complex topics easy to grasp. Children who love trivia, science, and figuring out how the world works will enjoy browsing its bite-sized facts and surprising revelations.
A good book is the start. A mentor makes it stick.
In a free 1:1 session, a trained Bookstaken mentor reads with your child, asks what they think and helps the reading habit last.