★STARRED★ For students wanting to know more about the African American female NASA workers depicted in the movie Hidden Figures, there’s just such a volume in the Hidden Heroes series. Because some readers may associate computer with machines, the authors give a thorough explanation of how humans were first used as computers to solve difficult mathematical and physics problems before today’s computers were invented. After identifying early black women pioneers in math and science, the book focuses on how WWII created opportunities for black women to serve as computers in the defense industry and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA. It describes the roles of these groundbreaking computers, as well as the double discrimination they encountered as women and as African Americans. Archival photos and sidebars enhance the appealing text, which concludes with a brief look at black women who made more advances as astronauts. Extensive back matter, including a time line, facts, additional resources, and a glossary, extend the research value. An essential purchase for STEM collections.