Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Themes
Synopsis
On a cold spring night in 1952, a huge meteorite fell to Earth and obliterated much of the east coast of the United States, including Washington, DC. The ensuing climate cataclysm will soon render Earth inhospitable for humanity, as the last such meteorite did for the dinosaurs. This looming threat calls for a radically accelerated effort to colonize space, and requires a much larger share of humanity to take part in the process. Elma York's experience as a WASP pilot and mathematician earns her a place in the International Aerospace Coalition's attempts to put man on the moon, as a computer. But with so many skilled and experience women pilots and scientists involved with the program, it doesn't take long before Elma begins to wonder why they can't go into space, too. Elma's drive to become the first Lady Astronaut is so strong that even the most dearly held conventions of society may not stand a chance against her. This description comes from the publisher.
Is The Calculating Stars appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 14 and up.
This historical sci-fi follows a woman mathematician fighting gender discrimination in an accelerated 1950s space program following a catastrophic meteorite strike. Contains mild period-appropriate sexism and discussion of global catastrophe.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, mild sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include mass death, anxiety, and sexism.
Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.
Who'll love this
Teens will root for a brilliant female pilot and mathematician who defies 1950s conventions to become an astronaut after Earth faces extinction.