Sonia Sotomayor

This new chapter-book iteration of the She Persisted series (2 titles), inspired by Chelsea Clinton's feminist picture-book biographies, expands to a slightly older audience. Written by award-winning authors and illustrated with artwork that blends soft charm and a range of emotions, the biographies use an accessible, early chapter-book format and focus on the formative years of strong women. Of course, at the heart of the women's stories is persistence despite numerous setbacks, which helped them achieve their professional goals. Sonia Sotomayor recounts how her childhood diabetes diagnosis, the death of her father, and injustices in her Puerto Rican neighborhood in the Bronx were among what shaped her desire to become a judge and later a Supreme Court justice. The author weaves in Spanish phrases to emphasize Sotomayor's background and provides meaning through context. Each book concludes with tips, customized to the biography's subject, encouraging readers to persist in a similar spirit. Inspiring introductions to remarkable women.

Gr 1--4--This full-length biography of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is part of the "She Persisted" series, expanding on the original profiles in She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World. Medina takes readers through the stages of Sotomayor's life from learning to walk at the age of seven months to her appointment as the first Latinx Supreme Court Justice in 2009. Challenges, such as Sotomayor's diabetes diagnosis at age seven, are balanced by triumphs such as being accepted to Princeton University. Instances of unfairness are shown to fuel her desire for justice. Back matter includes suggestions for building confidence just as Sotomayor did by joining the school forensics team. Additional material includes an introduction from Chelsea Clinton and a complete reference list. This would be a good title for a unit on pioneering women or Latinx individuals. VERDICT An engaging read for elementary classrooms and a welcome addition to library biography sections.--Suzanne Costner, Fairview Elem. Sch., Maryville, TN

For chapter-book readers, the biography of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Newbery medalist Medina pens this entry in the chapter-book She Persisted biography series, a spinoff of the picture-book series by the same name by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger. Writing in an engaging and accessible style, Medina introduces children to the young firecracker--described by her family as being "like an ají," the Spanish word for a hot pepper--who would grow up to be the first Latinx justice and only the third woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Sotomayor's capacity for persistence and practical problem-solving is evidenced throughout her life. When, as a schoolgirl, she realized she did not know how to be a good student, Sotomayor simply asked "the best student in her class…to teach her how to take notes and how to study for tests." In a nod to Justice Sotomayor's Hispanic background, each chapter is titled in Spanish ("Creciendo y aprendiendo," "Sueños," etc.), but the narrative text is in English. At the end of the book Medina offers suggestions for children to gain confidence and "persist." Children on the upper end of the target audience may want to read about the life of this remarkable woman in Sotomayor's own words in The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor (2018). The compelling story of an inspirational role model. (references) (Biography. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Dear Reader, As Sally Ride and Marian Wright Edelman both powerfully said, "You can't be what you can't see." When Sally Ride said that, she meant that it was hard to dream of being an astronaut, like she was, or a doctor or an athlete or anything at all if you didn't see someone like you who already had lived that dream. She especially was talking about seeing women in jobs that historically were held by men. I wrote the first She Persisted and the books that came after it because I wanted young girls--and children of all genders--to see women who worked hard to live their dreams. And I wanted all of us to see examples of persistence in the face of different challenges to help inspire us in our own lives. I'm so thrilled now to partner with a sisterhood of writers to bring longer, more in-depth versions of these stories of women's persistence and achievement to readers. I hope you enjoy these chapter books as much as I do and find them inspiring and empowering. And remember: If anyone ever tells you no, if anyone ever says your voice isn't important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you. Warmly, Chelsea Clinton TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: La candela Chapter 2: Creciendo y aprendiendo Chapter 3: Sueños Chapter 4: En la lucha Chapter 5: Tentando nuevas vías Chapter 6: Su legado How You Can Persist References Chapter 1 La candela From the very start, Sonia Sotomayor was la candela. Just like a flame, she was warm and burned brightly, but sometimes she was hard to handle. She learned to walk when she was only seven months old. She liked to play knights with her cousins, carrying them into battle on her back. They used mops and brooms to joust. And she had a well-known habit of spying on grown-ups and listening to their conversations whenever she could. "She is like an ají," her family said. That is the Spanish word for a hot pepper that can sometimes burn your tongue. Who would have guessed that a girl like Sonia would become the first Latina Supreme Court Justice for the United States? Excerpted from She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor by Meg Medina, Chelsea Clinton All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.