Mae Among the Stars



Last updated Monday, December 21, 2020

Author: Roda Ahmed
Illustrator: Stasia Burrington
Date of Publication: 2018
ISBN: 0062651730
Grade Level: 2nd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2020

Synopsis: When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering. She wanted to be an astronaut. Her mom told her, "If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible."

Little Mae's curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents' encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space.

Note to readers:
•  Hear and see this book read aloud on YouTube

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  This book is a biography about the first female African American astronaut. What is a biography?
•  The term astronaut comes from the Greek words meaning "space sailor." What do astronauts actually do and what kind of training do you think they have to get?

Vocabulary

•  Succeed: to get what you wanted or worked for. Thrive, shine, triumph
•  Assignment: a task, job or lesson you are given to do
•  Profession: A job or type of work that needs special training or study
•  Encourage: to give someone hope and courage. Enthusiastically urge and support someone to do something

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Shy do you think astronauts have to wear space suits?
•  What do you think it means to "dream big"?
•  What are some big dreams that you have?
•  What did Mae's mom encourage her to do?
•  What are some things that you may have to do differently on a space shuttle?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a Straw Rocket: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTd2f59TSVo
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/july-2020-the-wonders-of-science-and-technology/

Special activities:
•  Watch a mini-bio of Mae Jemison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgOaIKshbIU/
•  Watch "What to Astronauts do?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhD8GFwy734&list=PLBf1hFTaf0FYGFV_t94lqNGF1WXF23Tuo/

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!