Review by Booklist Review
Russell-Brown chronicles the life of this American congresswoman who, in 1972, became the first woman of color to run for president. Born to immigrant parents in Brooklyn, Shirley Chisholm spent time living with her maternal grandmother on Barbados before returning to New York, where she excelled in school as a debater. Although encouraged by a professor to enter politics, she first became a teacher, spending her evenings working as a community advocate. Eventually she did enter politics, first in the New York State Assembly and later in the U.S. Congress, devoting much of her efforts to the needs of the disadvantaged. This succinct biography emphasizes Chisholm's leadership qualities and her slogan and attitude ("Unbought and Unbossed"), which enabled her to break through racial and gender barriers despite discouragement from others. Velasquez's watercolor illustrations give a good sense of Depression-era Brooklyn and Barbados as well as emphasizing Chisholm's closeness to her family. Earth tones predominate, highlighted with splashes of turquoise, rose, and gold. An extensive afterword offers additional information about this remarkable politician, educator, and author.Women in Focus: The 19th in 2020
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Tracing the remarkable Shirley Chisholm's life from her childhood in Brooklyn and Barbados to her work as a teacher and community activist, Russell-Brown builds to her groundbreaking political career: member of the New York State Assembly, first black woman elected to Congress, and 1972 presidential campaigner--the first black person to run for the office. Though Chisholm, famously "Unbought and Unbossed," is presented as a fighter ("She worked for laws that helped women, children, students, poor people, farmworkers, Native people, and others who were often pushed aside"), the details of those fights remain off the page, complicating the reader's understanding of the opposition Chisholm faced and the scope of her achievements. Velasquez's realistic watercolor images use a photographic sensibility to present snapshots of Chisholm's life. An afterword includes fuller biographical information, photographs, and sources. Ages 6--12. (June)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--5--This warm, inspiring picture book biography spotlights the fascinating life and achievements of politician and educator Shirley Chisholm. Born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1924, Chisholm made her vibrant personality known from the start, leading groups of older kids around the neighborhood. Her parents were hard workers who had trouble feeding their family and making ends meet. They made the tough decision to send their daughter and her siblings to Barbados to live on her grandmother's farm. Despite the jarring change of lifestyle, Chisholm's experience in Barbados made a lasting impact. Seeing people who looked like her and worked in a variety of jobs was inspiring. It taught the future politician that she could grow up to hold a powerful position. In 1934, Chisholm moved back to Brooklyn, where she excelled in school and college and went on to become a teacher. At night, she worked closely with community groups and became a prominent voice for frequently overlooked populations: women, people of color, the poor, and children. She later won a spot in the New York State Assembly. In 1968, she became the first Black woman elected to Congress. She even ran for president in 1972. While she didn't win, she paved the way for future Black and female presidents. An extensive afterword is appended. VERDICT Russell-Brown, with the help of Velasquez's expressive watercolor art, vividly brings Chisholm's experiences to life with storytelling that will appeal to a wide variety of ages--those both aware and unaware of her legacy. Recommended for elementary and public library collections.--Kristy Pasquariello, Westwood P.L., MA
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Review by Horn Book Review
"Unbought and Unbossed": Shirley Chisholm's 1968 campaign slogan, still relevant today. Russell-Brown (Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, rev. 11/14) engagingly presents the life of Chisholm, born in Brooklyn in 1924. Unable to support their children, Shirley's parents took Shirley and her sisters to Barbados to live with their grandmother, "whose house was stocked with love, rules, and chores." Shirley excelled academically and loved living among the Black Barbadians. She and her younger sisters returned home during the Great Depression, and her predominantly white school demoted her from sixth to fourth grade because she knew so little U.S. history. With a tutor's help, Shirley soon took an interest in America's political system and attended Brooklyn College, where she became an award-winning debater. A schoolteacher and community activist, Chisholm became a New York State assemblywoman, then the first Black Congresswoman, steadfastly following her grandmother's mantra: "always...speak the truth." Chisholm broke further ground as an African American woman running for president, in 1972. Velasquez's vibrant watercolor illustrations capture Chisholm's determination and passion for improving life for Americans with the fewest advantages. The informative and useful back matter includes an afterword, source notes, and photos. Michelle H. Martin November/December 2020 p.133(c) Copyright 2020. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This picture-book biography shows how Shirley Chisolm's upbringing and talents led to her career in politics and her historic run for the U.S. presidency. By the age of 3, Shirley was leading children twice her age in play. When finances were difficult at home in Brooklyn, her parents brought her and her sister to live with her grandmother in Barbados, where she experienced farm life and beaches and saw black people in all sorts of positions. Readjusting to New York at age 10 during the Great Depression was difficult, but Shirley ultimately excelled in school, completing college and going on to become a schoolteacher before her work with community groups led her into politics. Approximately half of the story details Shirley's childhood and youth, and the other half shows Chisholm's transition from teaching into politics, focusing on how she gave a voice to the powerless. Russell-Brown's text does a remarkable job of pulling together the threads of Shirley's life to show how her experiences informed her life trajectory, ending on a note of triumph even though she does not win the presidential nomination. Velasquez's watercolor illustrations are full of life, using texture and light to capture vivid and varied scenery, personalities, and emotion. An extensive afterword expounds upon Chisholm's continuing legacy. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.8-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 61.2% of actual size.) Important history made beautiful and engaging. (sources, credits) (Picture book biography. 5-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
