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Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer Hardcover – Picture Book, March 2, 2021

by Traci Sorell (Author), Natasha Donovan (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 65 ratings
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Discover the story of how a math-loving girl blazed a trail for herself and others in this American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor Picture Book, Classified: Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, a biography for children ages 7 – 11

Mary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation's first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work.

Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross's journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. In addition, the narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all.

"A stellar addition to the genre that will launch careers and inspire for generations, it deserves space alongside stories of other world leaders and innovators."—starred, Kirkus Reviews

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    7 - 11 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    2 - 5
  5. Lexile measure
    940
  6. Dimensions
    9.5 x 0.31 x 11.25 inches
  7. Publisher
    Millbrook Press ™
  8. Publication date
    March 2, 2021
  9. ISBN-10
    1541579143
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1541579149
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2–5—Mary Golda Ross (1908–2008), a member of the Cherokee Nation, excelled in math from an early age. Although teenage girls "weren't expected to enjoy or excel in math or science," Ross began attending college at the age of 16 and became a high school teacher after graduation. Embracing Cherokee values, she encouraged her students, especially young Pueblo and Navajo girls, to take advantage of available educational opportunities. In 1942 she took a job at Lockheed Aircraft Company as a mathematical research assistant. In 1950 she became their first female engineer. The company recognized her potential and assigned her to work on top-secret projects related to government space and weapons programs. Donovan, who is Métis, uses elegant cartoon-style illustrations, which are well-matched to the narrative. The artwork helps expand the information included in the text. Using pencil, ink, and Procreate, the layered spreads feature reproductions of blueprints and fragments of notes about Ross's projects. Sorrell, an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, shares her personal perspective about Ross in an author's note. A time line, bibliography, section of "Four Cherokee Values," and source notes are included. VERDICT This title spotlights the story of an innovative Cherokee aerospace engineer, whose life sets an inspiring example for all children. Pair it with the picture book version of Margot Lee Shetterly's Hidden Figures.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's Sch., Richmond, VA

Review

"A stellar addition to the genre that will launch careers and inspire for generations, it deserves space alongside stories of other world leaders and innovators."―starred, Kirkus Reviews



"Through realistically cartooned digital illustrations and straightforward text, readers learn how Ross's experiences reflected these traits. Because she valued learning and had a passion for math, Ross was able to persevere."―The Horn Book Magazine



"[S]potlights the story of an innovative Cherokee aerospace engineer, whose life sets an inspiring example for all children."―School Library Journal



"[A] valuable addition to units on Indigenous individuals or women in STEM."―Booklist

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Millbrook Press ™ (March 2, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1541579143
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1541579149
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 11 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 940
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 2 - 5
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.5 x 0.31 x 11.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 65 ratings

About the author

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Traci Sorell

Traci Sorell

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Best-selling author Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning historical and contemporary fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. She is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree as well as an award-winning audiobook narrator and producer. Her first five books have received awards from the American Indian Library Association. Other accolades include Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, International Literacy Association's Social Justice Literature Award Winner, Reading The West’s Picture Book Winner, and many Best-of and Notables lists.

In 2024, she shares two fiction picture books - Being Home illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade and Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story illustrated by Joseph Erb. She also has On Powwow Day, a numbers-colors-sound words concept board book illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight, and a boxed mini four board book set - We Are Grateful Otsaliheliga Seasons - illustrated by Frané Lessac.

A former federal Indigenous law attorney and policy advocate, Traci is a Cherokee Nation citizen and first-generation college graduate. She lives with her family within her tribe’s reservation in northeastern Oklahoma.

For more about Traci and her work, visit tracisorell dot com.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
65 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2024
Verified Purchase
My sister-in-law is Cherokee. This was so interesting and informative for the family.
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Kris
5.0 out of 5 stars Looking forward to sharing this with my children!
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
I look forward to sharing this book with my children! I previously didn't know about Mary Golda Ross, but as a woman engineer, I found her story both relatable and inspiring. I especially enjoyed reading about her Cherokee values and how they shaped her life and the lives she touched.
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Debra Gantz
5.0 out of 5 stars Children's biography
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
Great story simple enough for very young children.
One person found this helpful
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Anitra R Schulte
5.0 out of 5 stars Biography about plane and space craft engineer Mary Golda Ross
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2021
"Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer" is a non-fiction picture book biography about a woman who followed her talents and dreams and made an enormous impact in the fields of air and space. Ross dig deeply into math and science at a young age, defying gender expectations and achieving success, all while staying true to her Cherokee values of gaining broad skills, working cooperatively, remaining humble and lifting up others. Her contributions to the design of fast-flying planes transitioned to top-secret work on space crafts. "Classified" is an inspiring tale about a woman who made a big difference - not seeking notoriety, but rather blazing a trail for others.
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Laurie Wallmark
5.0 out of 5 stars Representation Matters
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2021
When we picture aerospace engineers, the image that comes to mind is white men in short sleeved shirts. A native woman certainly doesn’t fit that mold, but that didn’t matter to Mary Gold Ross. It’s so rare to see books about native people working in STEM, yet it’s so important for children to see themselves represented.
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Biblio
5.0 out of 5 stars First Women Engineers
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2021
Having recently read the story of the first post graduate women engineer Damayant Hingorani Gupta and learning her challenges to that achievement, I was interested in this story too.
Loved the story of not only the pioneer and first-female engineer of Lockheed but all the Cherokee values that she followed in learning skills, humility, sharing the credit with the team.
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Beth A.
5.0 out of 5 stars A bit of history for children and adults!
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2021
Author Traci Sorell not only threads the values of Cherokee culture through the story, but also her writing incorporates these values. A well told story of someone we should know about!
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Sue Gallion
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read!
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2021
Kids will be intrigued with the story of this female STEM "hidden figure." A story of perseverance and humility. Sorell weaves Cherokee values with Mary Golda Ross's life story.
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