Out Now from Scholastic Press; 285 pages
Content Warning: Sexual harassment, racism, cursing, mention of genocide
About the Author: “Cambria Gordon is the author of The Poetry of Secrets, which Ruta Sepetys called an ‘epic, poetic journey,’ and coauthor of the award-winning The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming, winner of the National Green Earth Book Award. Cambria has written for Los Angeles Times Magazine, Boys’ Life, Parent Guide News, and The Jewish Journal of Los Angeles. She lives in LA with her husband and youngest son, and as close as possible to her two adult children, without annoying them” (Bio from Bookshop.org).
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It may have started out as a childhood nickname from her classmates, but by now, even Eleanor knows herself as “Nervous Nellie.” As a child, Eleanor experienced a traumatic event involving her math genius father. She interpreted this as having taken away his ability to do what he loves and thus decides to keep her own mathematical gift a secret. In the midst of World War II, the US Army discovers her natural talent and requests her service. Eleanor is hesitant to help because of her role as a loyal daughter, but her beloved Jewish family in Poland is missing. She knows that if she can play a part in saving them and winning the war for the United States, then that is what she has to do. Besides, it’s what her role model, Eleanor Roosevelt, would do. With her invaluable skills, the only person standing in Eleanor Schiff’s way is herself.
Trajectory begins rich with modern Jewish history and culture and then adds a wealth of other knowledge about math and 1940s war technology. Unless you, too, are a math genius, it is not a book where you can expect to understand everything, but it is a story where you get to watch our main character come into her own. While I do feel that readers might have benefitted from a little more emotional detail and a little less technical terminology, the constant analysis and tracking of patterns gives more insight into who Eleanor is and how she manages her anxiety. Although there is a stereotype of mathematicians being standoffish, Eleanor Schiff is an excellent counterexample, despite her shyness. She makes friends with a variety of people, exceptions being the occasional racist and the smarmy young soldiers who are unused to having a woman around. Eleanor is a lovely young lady doing her part for her country alongside her fellow Rosies, the other women behind the war effort. Her patriotic, familial, and Jewish values shine through her intentions and her interactions with other people. In overcoming our inner battles to make the greatest difference we are able, we should all strive to be more like Eleanor Schiff.
Abby Ballas, Pine Reads Review Writer & Editor
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Want to read the full book. Great review
What an interesting perspective of the multi-thousands of individual stories of women that loyally served our country during WW II. We tend to lump people together and I for one am fascinated by what makes us all individuals with valuable gifts to contribute to society. Thank you for this enticing book review, Abby. I’m looking forward to getting to “know” Eleanor Schiff.
This review leads one to want to go and get Trajectory.