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DISCUSSION GUIDE
THE BRILLIANT CALCULATOR: How Mathematician Edith Clarke Helped Electrify America
Discussion Questions
1. Examine the cover of THE BRILLIANT CALCULATOR. What or who does the word “calculator” refer to? What does the word “electrify” mean?
2. How do the colors on the cover make you feel? What is the writing in pink?
3. What can you understand about Edith Clarke from the cover?
4. What do you think the story is about? Make some predictions. What questions do you have?
5. In the opening quotation of Edith Clarke’s words, what does “ideal” mean? Why would girl (and boy) mathematicians enjoy electrical engineering?
6. On the next pages, how do the illustrations show that Edith loved math? Can you solve the picture puzzles?
7. How do you think Edith felt when her father died? When her mother died?
8. Describe what Edith sees when she arrives at boarding school. What does her expression tell you? Why does she feel that way?
9. The author wrote, “Edith finished school as the twentieth century began.” What year did the twentieth century begin? What are the unusual details that the illustrator chose for this scene?
10. The author wrote, “Edith saw that modern times needed the numbers she loved. Measures and computations made dreams become reality.” What in the illustration of the city street would need to be measured to be built or made?
11. What do you think about Edith’s decision to learn about history and literature, to study Latin, and to teach herself ancient Greek? Would you study a subject on your own?
