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She Persisted
She Persisted: Kalpana Chawla
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger comes a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Kalpana Chawla!
Born and raised in India, Kalpana Chawla was discouraged from pursuing a career in aeronautical engineering because there were limited career options for women in that field. But she persisted, getting her degree and then moving to the US to obtain other, more advanced education before joining NASA and becoming the first Indian-born woman to go to space. Though she was killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, she continues to inspire girls in India and around the world to pursue their dreams of spaceflight.
In this chapter book biography by acclaimed author Raakhee Mirchandani, readers learn about the amazing life of Kalpana Chawla--and how she persisted .
Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Kalpana Chawla's footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum.
And don’t miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Sally Ride, Temple Grandin, Malala Yousafzai, and more!
Born and raised in India, Kalpana Chawla was discouraged from pursuing a career in aeronautical engineering because there were limited career options for women in that field. But she persisted, getting her degree and then moving to the US to obtain other, more advanced education before joining NASA and becoming the first Indian-born woman to go to space. Though she was killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, she continues to inspire girls in India and around the world to pursue their dreams of spaceflight.
In this chapter book biography by acclaimed author Raakhee Mirchandani, readers learn about the amazing life of Kalpana Chawla--and how she persisted .
Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Kalpana Chawla's footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum.
And don’t miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Sally Ride, Temple Grandin, Malala Yousafzai, and more!
96 pages, Hardcover
Published May 2, 2023
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 20, 2023
Celebrating the life of Kalpana Chawla, I did not know anything about this Indian American astronaut who lost her life doing what she loved best.
She was a stellar student in India and her family got out of her way to let her explore space, aviation, and the stars. She used her gifts and skills to rise in the ranks and study aeronautical engineering in the United States in addition to falling in love. She got her pilot's license. She went to work for NASA. She had a zest for life that comes out in the short She Persisted biography that I'm glad to have read.
She was a stellar student in India and her family got out of her way to let her explore space, aviation, and the stars. She used her gifts and skills to rise in the ranks and study aeronautical engineering in the United States in addition to falling in love. She got her pilot's license. She went to work for NASA. She had a zest for life that comes out in the short She Persisted biography that I'm glad to have read.
July 8, 2023
Enjoyed reading Kalpana's story n her dream n aspirations 🙏
You are an inspiration to indian americans n to women .. thank you 🤗
Highlights from the book 📖
You can be anything you want; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Sometimes, things don’t work out exactly as we plan. But that doesn’t mean we quit.
Kalpana’s memorial includes her favorite book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach...
>> Love this is your fav book.. it's mine too n gave me my wings to break from the norm..
You are an inspiration to indian americans n to women .. thank you 🤗
Highlights from the book 📖
You can be anything you want; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Sometimes, things don’t work out exactly as we plan. But that doesn’t mean we quit.
Kalpana’s memorial includes her favorite book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach...
>> Love this is your fav book.. it's mine too n gave me my wings to break from the norm..
December 19, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. I'm a sucker for stories about BIPOC little girls who fulfill their dreams of pursuing science despite obstacles. To be honest, it meant a lot to me to read a book about someone an immigrant who is widely accepted as an American, but who also managed to hold onto her family and cultural roots. Kalpana sounds like she was brilliant and funny and a lover of science and nature. I'm sad her light burned out so young.
September 9, 2023
4 stars (I really liked it)
It was great learning about Chawla! I have to admit that I did not know anything about her before reading the book.
This is the first of the series that I recall having two page picture spreads. While they images are super cool, they are awkwardly placed in a way that breaks up the text weirdly.
It was great learning about Chawla! I have to admit that I did not know anything about her before reading the book.
This is the first of the series that I recall having two page picture spreads. While they images are super cool, they are awkwardly placed in a way that breaks up the text weirdly.
August 29, 2023
I listen to these little books while I’m getting ready for work and when I tell you they almost had me in TEARSSSS! I just love these little books and for real… it helps me to remember to stay the course and do what you love no matter what. Shout out to CC for penning this and KC for persisting beyond what she saw cause wow!!! It a tops for sure 💚💚💚
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March 5, 2024Ella fue la primera mujer astronauta nacida en India en su segunda misión para ir al espacio mutuo en un accidente del transportador espacial
May 14, 2023
Another great addition to the series. I always enjoy the ones about people I wasn't familiar with.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews