Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight: Patsy Takemoto Mink and the Fight for Title IX

by Jen Bryant (Author) Toshiki Nakamura (Illustrator)

Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight: Patsy Takemoto Mink and the Fight for Title IX
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

The only picture book biography about unsung hero Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first Asian American woman elected to Congress.

From a young age, Patsy Takemoto Mink learned that striving for goals came with challenges. But she also learned to never give up. As the Japanese proverb says: fall down seven times, stand up eight.

That spirit helped Patsy through school. She wanted to become a doctor, but at the time, medical schools didn't admit women. So Patsy carved her own path. She went to law school, ran for a seat in the United States Congress, and helped create Title IX, the law that requires federally funded schools to treat boys and girls equally. Although many people tried to knock her down, Patsy--a historic trailblazer who spent her life fighting for fairness--always got up again!

From award-winning author Jen Bryant and illustrator Toshiki Nakamura comes an inspiring picture book biography that brings Patsy Takemoto Mink's incredible legacy to life.

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Hardcover
$19.99

Kirkus Reviews

An informative profile of a trailblazing legislator that will inspire children to work for justice.

Publishers Weekly

This comprehensive picture book biography showcases the trials and tribulations of Patsy Takemoto Mink (1927-2002), the first woman of color in the U.S. Congress. Utilizing the Japanese proverb "Fall down seven times, stand up eight" as a refrain, Bryant showcases Mink's tenacity in fighting racism and sexism throughout her life, and her commitment to challenging laws and proposing new ones, such as the groundbreaking Title IX. Crisp language expounds the figure's accomplishments: "Making a law was like drawing a map, Patsy realized. If a map was drawn well, it led you to a new place. If a law was written well, it changed lives." Hazy, animation-style vignettes by Nakamura showcase a cast of mostly thin characters with varying skin colors in this tale of an indomitable Asian American trailblazer. Back matter features an author's note and notes on the quotes. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Jen Bryant
Jen Bryant writes picture books, novels, and poems for readers of all ages, including The Trial, Six Dots, and A Splash of Red. Her numerous awards include two Caldecott Honors, two ALA Schneider Family Book Awards, an NCTE Orbis Pictus Award and Honor, and a Sibert Medal and Honor.

Frank Morrison is the award-winning illustrator of many books for young readers, including the two Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor books Little Melba and her Big Trombone and Let the Children March, a John Steptoe New Talent Award winner, an NAACP Image Award winner, and a Society of Illustrators Silver Medal winner.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780062957221
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Quill Tree Books
Publication date
January 20, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF053140 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Topics | Prejudice & Racism
JNF007110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Social Activists
JNF007120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Women
JNF043000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Science | Politics & Government
JNF018020 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | United States - Asian American
JNF054000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Sports & Recreation | General
Library of Congress categories
Biographies
Picture books
United States
Japanese Americans
Hawaii
Women legislators
Legislators
Japanese American women
Mink, Patsy T.
Woman legislators

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