Written by: Debbie Levy
Illustrated by: Whitney Gardner
For ages: 10 years and up
Language: English
Topics Covered: History, Legislation, Women in Leadership, Trailblazers, Historical Figure, Historical Events, Activism, Graphic Novel.
Summary: This is an AWESOME graphic novel! Something we like about it very much is that while it very closely follows the life of the one and only powerhouse Ruth Bader Ginsburg, it also gives an amazing amount of historical context and vocabulary for the reader. We begin the book with Ruth’s birth and follow her trailblazing journey beyond her appointment to the Supreme Court of the United States.
It was really cool to see Ruth grow up and be unafraid to be seen as smart, capable, and driven the entire time. The graphic novel was thorough and well-researched. We learned so much! Challenging sexism and higher education, RBG saw firsthand the tides of change. In fact, she was often the one strategizing. Undoubtedly, Ruth has inspired generations of young people already. This book is the next iteration, having a graphic novel about historical figures is really neat and brings a new dimension of learning into the equation.
There are a myriad of little details within the book that make it special, like her mother’s ghost that follows her around, reminding her of advice she was once given. The book emphasizes being a good person with a strong moral compass for doing what’s right, even if it may be hard or scary to stand up for what you believe in. It does not gloss over the fact that RBG worked constantly and steadfastly to change the world, it did not happen overnight. The book does not shy away from her legal falters either, it gives a well-rounded storyline of the trials and tribulations of her career. The graphic novel serves as both an incredible learning tool as well as a call to action for more activism for equality! RBG is a strong role model for young people, and we are very lucky to still have her around showing us how to rise up and create change.
This book was generously sent to us by Simon and Schuster Kids, but all opinions are our own.
About the Author & the Illustrator:
Debbie Levy writes books—fiction, nonfiction, and poetry—for people of all different ages, and especially for young people. Before starting her writing career, she was a newspaper editor with American Lawyer Media and Legal Times; before that, she was a lawyer with the Washington, D.C. law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering (now called WilmerHale). She has a bachelor’s degree in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia, and a law degree and master’s degree in world politics from the University of Michigan. She lives in Maryland with her husband, Rick Hoffman. They have two grown sons. Besides writing, she loves to kayak, boat, and fish in the Chesapeake Bay region, swim, bowl duckpins, and tramp around the woods. And, of course, she loves to read.
Whitney Gardner is an author and cartoonist who spends most of her time hidden in the Pacific Northwest wrapped in a fuzzy sweater. She brings joy to those who happen to spot her and her suspiciously large feet. Before becoming an author she worked as an art teacher and school librarian where she fell utterly and completely in love with children’s books. In the rare moment Whitney isn’t writing or drawing, she’s likely to be reading comics, knitting, or roasting coffee.
