Illustrated by Sarah Green (Scholastic, February 1, 2022)
Ruth is a dreamy girl who wants to do something great in her life. Can she break through barriers for women to become a lawyer who fights for equality and justice? Ruth’s determination take her all the way to the United States Supreme Court, where she sticks up for ordinary people to make the world a better place.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel interview
Wisconsin State Journal interview
Wisconsin Public Radio interview
St. Louis Post-Dispatch interview
St. Louis Jewish Light interview
PURCHASE
REVIEWS
A warm, informative, and entertaining biography of a scholar, lawyer, and judge. Conversational first-person narration, inset graphics, fact boxes, and appealing digital illustrations combine to paint a well-rounded picture of Ruth Bader Ginsburg from childhood to adulthood. The story bubbles with enthusiasm and interesting tidbits that will draw children in.
— Kirkus Reviews
Can there be too many biographies of Ruth Bader Ginsburg? Robbins’ contribution assures us the answer is no. Told in the first person from Ginsburg’s perspective, the conversational text traces Ginsburg’s strong female influences and the challenges she faced while rising through male-dominated professions in law and the U.S. judicial system. Always at the forefront of her endeavors, however, were equality and justice for both women’s and men’s rights. Completing the biography are her strong dissents, her unconventional friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia, and her RBG stardom. Colorful and expressive illustrations depict these pivotal moments.
— Booklist
Condensing the most important events and influences in Ginsburg’s life, and presenting them through first-person narration and dramatic pictures, Robbins and Green have designed an accessible format for young Ginsburg fans. From the cover to the last page, a core theme is autonomy. The young Ruth Bader was aware of injustice from a young age, convinced that she could play a role in combating it. She certainly did not accept defeat; Robbins is focused on distilling this crucial aspect of her attitude so that children will understand its power. Each sentence is carefully crafted to ensure appreciation of the barriers that Ginsburg faced and her determination to overcome them. Sarah Green’s illustrations progress with the feeling of a family album, depicting Ginsburg from childhood to old age. Her devotion to family, career, and the American people seems a natural and viable choice in this appealing children’s book.
— Jewish Book Council
Adhering to a nontraditional picture book structure that includes a mix of first-person narrative, humorous comic panels, and essential facts, Dean Robbins presents multiple facets of the late U.S. Supreme Court justice’s life and personalizes her lifelong mission of striving for equality and justice. His prose brings her to life and presents a perspective not often found in other books for kids.
— Isthmus
Engaging and insightful biography of a famous Supreme Court judge whose belief in fighting against rules that treated girls differently changed the world.
— YA and Kids’ Books Central
This biography makes Ruth Bader Ginsburg relatable. The realistic illustrations that include Ginsburg enjoying her many hobbies, holding a dinner she burned, and working out with weights as an older woman also serve to humanize her. With a timeline, glossary and other resources as backmatter, it’s a useful addition to the other titles on RBG.
— Association of Jewish Libraries
“You Are a Star, Ruth Bader Ginsburg” is informative and yet creative, inspiring, and captivating. With every page I want to learn more. Dean Robbins perfectly captures this dynamite woman and retells her life story in a way that is engaging and appropriate for kids as young as the primary grades through upper elementary grades.
— Rainbow Reading