Leading the Way

November 4, 2019
Virginia senator Janet Howell and her daughter, Theresa Howell (Maybe Something Beautiful), offer a hearty tribute to American women leaders in this handsomely designed anthology published to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the passage of national women’s suffrage in the U.S. Hillary Rodham Clinton contributes a motivational foreword, urging girls to “dream big, work hard, and be persistent” while emphasizing that “sometimes it’s the little things you do that can make a big difference.” Both tenets are exemplified by the 50 women featured in this compilation of taut, fact-filled biographical profiles peppered with first-person quotations. Visionaries, politicians, and activists throughout history are represented, including Abigail Adams, Soledad Chávez Chacón, Barbara Jordan, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, as well as a robust roster of luminaries in today’s headlines, among them Dianne Feinstein, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, and Elizabeth Warren. Superfluous “Power Symbols” denoting specific character attributes (diligence, courage, empathy) appear within each profile; more effective visuals are the illustrators’ expressive, lifelike portraits of each leader. A concise “Take-Action Guide” rounds up tips for readers inspired to act on their beliefs. Ages 10–up. Agent: Adriana Dominguez, Full Circle Literary.

November 1, 2019

Gr 5 Up-This book provides brief biographies of 50 women who made a difference as leaders, advisors to presidents, political trailblazers, or congresswomen. A few acted outside of government but advocated for those with less power, such as Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett, who reported on lynching. The book is organized in alphabetical order; each woman receives two pages that feature an oversize illustration and quote. Readers may recognize some of the women, like the five first ladies, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris. Most interesting are less familiar subjects, such as Crystal Bird Fauset, the first African American woman elected to the state legislature in the United States. Back matter provides names of additional women who might have been included, and sources from speeches and the press. There is an instruction guide on how to stand up, speak out, and make a difference. VERDICT A book that deserves to be read front to back. Girls will feel inspired by this diverse and accomplished group who made their voices heard in order to incite real change. Researchers will find a variety of heroes to study and admire.-Patricia Aakre, P.S. 89, New York

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2019
Inspirational profiles of 50 women who threw their hats into the U.S. political arena. Flanked by various combinations of "power symbols" representing positive values or character traits, the alphabetically arranged entries include both current presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren and the iconic likes of Eleanor Roosevelt, "Battling Bella" Abzug, Barbara Jordan, Abigail Adams, and deep state chief executive Edith Wilson, "the first woman to act as president of the United States" while her husband was incapacitated. Focusing more on each woman's achievements and major areas of interest than party affiliation or political lean, the authors offer a good mix of players on state and local as well as national stages, with a conscious eye to diversity: Nonwhite women make up just under half the roster. The profiles all come in at a little more than a page in length, and, along with the selected symbols, each features two quotes and a career resume (to date). Each also comes decorated with a smiling painted portrait so staid that even Shirley Chisholm and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (who in real life had, and have, world-class game faces) look constipated. Nonetheless, younger activists and public servants in search of courageous, tough-minded role models will be spoiled for choice even before they get to the concluding list of 30 "more leaders to discover." Makes a strong case that where "she persisted," others really can follow. (index, endnotes) (Collective biography. 10-13)

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November 15, 2019
Grades 4-7 There are many books today that deal with women's history, and this one, by a long-serving state senator from Virginia and her author daughter-in-law, stands out for the breadth of its coverage, its attractive format, and the "power symbols" that accompany each two-page feature on each subject. Each symbol represents personal qualities or traits that the women incorporated into their lives, such as courage, resourcefulness, community, and integrity. The 50 American women profiled are primarily from the worlds of activism and politics, and most are either from the twentieth or the twenty-first century (though Abigail Adams and several others lived earlier). Many of the women, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Nikki Haley, will be familiar to today's audience. Others, including Magaret Chase Smith, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Barbara Jordan, will inspire a new generation. Although the writing is staid in places, the strong portraits of each woman, the crisp page layouts, and the wealth of information will draw in readers. The foreword by Hillary Clinton, which discusses "forging change and leading the way," makes for a strong entry to this inspiring book.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)