No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Gr 3-5--Although similar in style and format to Debbie Levy's I, Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark, this biography focuses more on Ginsburg's law career and the professional obstacles she faced. The author incorporates small details about Ginsburg, such as her wearing her mother's earrings and pin; however, not much other personal information is provided, beyond a list of hobbies. Zhang uses a palette of soft colors, but makes Ginsburg visually stand out through facial expressions. Some of the text is framed by delicate scrollwork on a facing page; at other times, the text is incorporated into the illustrations and certain phrases and quotes are in a different font. "No truth without Ruth" is an oft-repeated line. Back matter includes information on the federal court system, a top 10 list of Ginsburg's Supreme Court opinions, and a list of sources. One quibble: the ending photo of the Supreme Court is of when Ginsburg first joined and features Sandra Day O'Connor and several other retired/deceased judges--why not include a more recent image with Sonia Sotomayor? VERDICT Collections with little material on Ginsburg will want to purchase; otherwise, an additional consideration.--Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Library, WA

In this welcome addition to the growing body of Ruth Bader Ginsburg literature for children, Krull offers a detailed account of the Supreme Court justice's intellectual and professional development. Krull uses small, careful details and anecdotes to personalize Ginsburg's story, describing how she wore her late mother's circle pin and earrings for courage as she nervously argued a case before the Supreme Court, while underscoring the impact of her achievements ("In fighting for fairness, she was actually changing the way the country treated women"). Zhan captures Ginsburg's likeness in soft, creamy mixed-media spreads that portray her as a force to be reckoned with: most of the scenes emphasize her seriousness of purposes, though one playful spread shows her white-water rafting, horseback riding, and waterskiing. A timeline and top-10 list of key Supreme Court decisions and dissents conclude this straightforward, effective biography. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Susan Cohen, Writers House. (Feb.)