She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor

May 1, 2021
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 aj�," 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," "Sue�os," 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)

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May 1, 2021
Grades 1-4 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.

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June 1, 2021

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

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