Ketanji: Justice Jackson's Journey to the U.S. Supreme Court

by Kekla Magoon (Author) Laura Freeman (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

From two Coretta Scott King Honor winners comes this uplifting picture book biography about Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is making history as the first Black woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.

Ketanji Brown Jackson is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. When a high school guidance counselor told her she should set her sights lower than Harvard, she decided to go to Harvard for college and law school.When she became a public defender and saw inequalities in the justice system, she used her legal skills to advocate for people who needed help, but couldn't afford an attorney.

Ketanji's path to the Supreme Court was unique: She's the only current Justice to have been a public defender and one of a few who went to public school. Her story is powerful and heartening, and it's a lesson in overcoming adversity by being true to yourself.

Margaret A. Edwards Award winner, Printz Honor winner, and National Book Award finalist Kekla Magoon and Coretta Scott King honoree Laura Freeman reunite to present a generation of readers with a new inspirational figure.

Select format:
Hardcover
$19.99

Booklist

With an informative text and a series of striking digital illustrations, this picture-book biography offers an appealing introduction to Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Kirkus Reviews

A needed celebration of America’s potential.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 1-3--Ketanji Brown Jackson made history as the first Black woman nominated--and then confirmed--to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. Coretta Scott King Honor winners Magoon and Freeman tell Jackson's story in this stirring picture book biography, introducing readers to Jackson, whose drive and determination to succeed took her from a childhood steeped in warmth, African culture, and activism, to Harvard Law School and all the way to her current seat. Never afraid to confront racism, Jackson protested a Confederate flag on campus and the obvious dearth of Black teachers. Magoon makes Jackson relatable to readers by highlighting her improv work and her daughter's letter to President Obama, asking him to consider her mother when filling Justice Scalia's seat. The straightforward narrative is uncluttered and easy to read for newly confident readers; Freeman's illustrations will keep emerging readers focused during a read-aloud. Vibrant scenes create texture and warmth in beautiful portraits of Jackson and her family. Comprehensive back matter includes an author's note, glossary, time line, bibliography, and further resources. VERDICT An excellent choice for picture book biography collections.--Rosemary Kiladitis

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 

Kekla Magoon
Kekla Magoon (keklamagoon.com) writes novels and nonfiction for young readers, including The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall's Life, Leadership, and Legacy, Today the World Is Watching You: The Little Rock Nine and the Fight for School Integration 1957-58, The Season of Styx Malone, and The Rock and the River. She has received the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, an NAACP Image Award, the John Steptoe New Talent Award, three Coretta Scott King Honors, and been long listed for the National Book Award. Kekla conducts school and library visits nationwide. She holds a BA from Northwestern University and an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she now serves on faculty. You can follow Kekla Magoon on Twitter @keklamagoon.

Chelsea Clinton is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World; She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women Who Changed History; She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game; She Persisted in Science: Brilliant Women Who Made a Difference; Don't Let Them Disappear: 12 Endangered Species Across the Globe; It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going!; Start Now!: You Can Make a Difference; with Hillary Clinton, Grandma's Gardens and Gutsy Women; and, with Devi Sridhar, Governing Global Health: Who Runs the World and Why? She is also the Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation, where she works on many initiatives, including those that help empower the next generation of leaders. She lives in New York City with her husband, Marc, their children and their dog, Soren. You can follow Chelsea Clinton on Twitter @ChelseaClinton or on Facebook at facebook.com/chelseaclinton.

Gillian Flint (gillianflint.com) is an illustrator who has a passion for painting in watercolors. She has been drawing and creating characters for as long as she can remember. Her work has been published in the USA, the UK and Australia. In her spare time she enjoys reading and gardening at her home in the UK. You can follow her on Instagram @gillianflint_illustration.

Alexandra Boiger (alexandraboiger.com) has illustrated nearly twenty picture books, including the She Persisted series by by Chelsea Clinton; the popular Tallulah series by Marilyn Singer; and the Max and Marla books, which she also wrote. Originally from Munich, Germany, she now lives outside of San Francisco, California, with her husband, Andrea; daughter, Vanessa; and two cats, Luiso and Winter. You can follow Alexandra on Instagram @alexandra_boiger.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780063296169
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Quill Tree Books
Publication date
June 20, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF018010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JNF007120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Women
JNF007070 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Political
JNF023000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Girls & Women
JNF030000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Law & Crime
JNF071000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Activism & Volunteering
Library of Congress categories
Biographies
Picture books
United States
Judges
Jackson, Ketanji Brown

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