Hillary Rodham Clinton: Some Girls Are Born to Lead

by Michelle Markel (Author) Leuyen Pham (Illustrator)

Hillary Rodham Clinton: Some Girls Are Born to Lead
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

In the spirit of Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope and Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride comes an inspiring portrait of Hillary Rodham Clinton, the first female presidential nominee in United States history: a girl who fought to make a difference--and paved the way for women everywhere--from Michelle Markel and LeUyen Pham. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It's a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.

In the 1950s, it was a man's world. Girls weren't supposed to act smart, tough, or ambitious. Even though, deep inside, they may have felt that way. And then along came Hillary. Brave, brilliant, and unstoppable, she was out to change the world.

They said a woman couldn't be a mother and a lawyer. Hillary was both. They said a woman shouldn't be too strong or too smart. Hillary was fearlessly herself.

It didn't matter what people said--she was born to lead.

With illustrations packed full of historical figures and details, this gorgeous and informative picture book biography is perfect for every budding leader. Includes a timeline, artist's note, and bibliography.

Select format:
Hardcover
$17.99

Publishers Weekly

Whether she was "acing tests" and "upstaging boys in class" or organizing elementary school fund-raisers to help the poor, Hillary Rodham bucked the status quo at a young age and began to blaze a trail for women with her drive, smarts, and support of public service and social justice ("Take that, 1950s!"). Adopting a breezy tone, Markel (Brave Girl) concisely outlines Clinton's journey from activist to First Lady of Arkansas and on to Washington, D.C. Markel hails Clinton as a "superwoman" and notes her reaction to sexist criticism, as well as her ability to pick up the mantle after suffering policy defeat. Without mentioning Clinton's current campaign for the White House in the main text (it is included an extensive closing time line), Markel writes, "No matter what Hillary does next, if she wants to change the world, she'll find a way." Pham's (the Freckleface Strawberry series) watercolors are steeped in period detail as she depicts Clinton beaming at her wedding, working on the campaign trail, making key speeches, and meeting with dignitaries. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Anna Olswanger, Olswanger Literary. Illustrator's agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt Agency. (Jan.)

Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-4--Framed in terms of the fight for equal opportunities for women, this picture book biography depicts Hillary Rodham Clinton's story as one of endless heroic struggles on behalf of the oppressed. Clinton is described as an excellent student who took an early leadership role among her peers, was inspired by hearing a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and later fearlessly advocated on behalf of women, people of color, children, and the poor. Her challenges in balancing work and family life, as well as the criticism she's received as a woman, make her willingness to conquer each new hurdle even more impressive. Employing deft and engaging prose, Markel covers much of the same ground Kathleen Krull did with Hillary Rodham Clinton: Dreams Taking Flight (S. & S., 2008) but provides far more specific details, though Krull's book offers a more impressionistic main text and extensive endnotes. The tone is relentlessly positive, making it difficult to get a well-rounded sense of Clinton as a person, and there is no reference to any of the political controversies surrounding her or Bill Clinton. Pham's evocative illustrations steal the show, varying in mood from whimsical to uplifting to sobering. Particularly effective is the contrast between the opening spread, which features well-known (and sepia-toned) men of the 1950s, and the concluding pages, which depict many vibrantly diverse and notable women of the 20th and 21st centuries. VERDICT A beautifully produced, if excessively laudatory, biography of a significant contemporary political figure; recommended for general collections.--Laura Simeon, Open Window School Library, WA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"[An] honest and open portrayal"—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Michelle Markel
Michelle Markel writes informative, enjoyable children's books at her home in Los Angeles, California. She's the author of Tyrannosaurus Math (a CCBC Choices Reading List selection), The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau (a PEN/Steven Kroll Award winner and a Parents' Choice Gold Award winner), and Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 (a Jane Addams Children's Book Award winner, a Bank Street College of Education Flora Stieglitz Straus Award winner, and an NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor book). Visit her at michellemarkel.com.

Barbara McClintock has written and/or illustrated over forty books for children, including her highly acclaimed Adèle and Simon series. Her books have received five New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book awards, three ALA Notable Children's Book citations, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor, and two Golden Kite honors, as well as many other accolades, best book selections, and starred reviews. A self-taught artist, McClintock discovered the work of Randolph Caldecott when she was in her early twenties, and he became a mentor, inspiration, and kindred spirit to her. McClintock lives in Windham, Connecticut, with her partner, the illustrator David A. Johnson, and their four demonstrative cats. You can find her online at barbaramcclintockbooks.com.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780062381224
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
Publication date
January 05, 2016
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF007120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Women
JNF007070 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Political
JNF007130 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Presidents & First Families (U.S.)
Library of Congress categories
United States
Presidents' spouses
Women legislators
Legislators
Presidential candidates
Women cabinet officers
Cabinet officers
Women presidential candidates
Clinton, Hillary Rodham

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