Author/Illustrator: Debbie Levy/Elizabeth Baddeley
Publisher:
Language: English
ISBN: 978-4814-6559-5
Guest Blog Author: Sachina Hobo
As a 4th-year college student, I found this interesting to read. I learned a lot about Ruth Bater Ginsberg. I think this is great for upper-elementary kids to read, but I would also recommend it to older kids and adults as well. I can imagine a parent reading it to their child but also the parent finding the content interesting as well.
The defined outlines in the facial expressions, the bold text, illustrated texts, and the overall color contrasts all contribute to it being a work of art. Not only does the illustrations pop out at you as if to suck you into the story, but the story itself is one to remember. In my opinion, this book’s main purpose is to communicate one message to the reader and that is that if you disagree, you should be vocal and take action. This book is about the act of standing up for what you know is right in disguise as a story about Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
There are multiple things to note about the illustration. I can tell that the style of drawing was chosen for the definition of the facial expressions. Right from page 2, we start out with Celia Bader’s determined facial expression, and she is looking up as though she was determined to teach her daughter about the endless possibilities that a girl can achieve.
Then, we find our first act of defiance from Ruth in elementary school, when she decided that she was going against everyone to keep writing with her left hand. Her face was looking more like her mothers.
She continues to go against the grain to follow her dreams, and she continues to climb higher and higher up the ladder as a lawyer. Finally, she gets appointed Supreme Court, but we can still see her determined facial expression and continuing to change the world.
This story is probably for older elementary kids who are just learning about American history for the first time. I’ve enjoyed this story myself as a college-aged person. I imagine that anyone who reads this will have a little bit more courage to be defiant and make meaningful change in the world.