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Sonia Sotomayor

Jueza de la Corte Suprema
by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
48p. 978-0-76145-801-2.
COPY ISBN
Gr 3—6—Through graceful, short vignettes written in free verse, Bernier-Grand introduces readers to the first Hispanic judge and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court. The author describes Sotomayor's childhood in the Bronx, difficulties learning to read English, experiences in Ivy League schools, and swearing-in ceremony to serve on the highest court in the land. Gonzalez's colored-pencil drawings enhance the narrative. Readers will be attracted by some of the details of Sotomayor's life. For example, the woman loves baseball and was instrumental in ending the labor disputes between baseball owners and players in the 1995 baseball strike. The last pages of the book include a prose chronology of the justice's life. The glossary includes words used more commonly by Puerto Rican New Yorkers (Nuyoricans). An enjoyable read and a great addition.—Angélica Sauceda, Anaheim Public Library, CA
This illustrated biography in verse details the life of Ms. Sotomayor from her childhood in New York City to her rise to Supreme Court Justice. Though the text does a good job of depicting setting, it can be ponderous or choppy (however, it does flow better than the concurrently published English-language version). Mixed-media illustrations breathe life into the story. Timeline. Bib., glos.
The free verse poems can stand alone, but also combine to tell the moving and inspiring story of Sonia Sotomayor’s childhood and eventual rise to the Supreme Court. Many poems incorporate quotes by or about Sotomayor. Thomas Gonzalez’s colorful, realistic watercolor paintings highlight images from each of the poems. Carmen T. Bernier-Grand includes wonderful details. For example, on a trip to Puerto Rico, the Sotomayors see Zebu bulls switching their tails: “Toros cebúes mueven sus colas cuando / los carros pasan.” An end note summarizes the events of Sonia Sotomayor’s life, fleshing out details presented in the poems. A glossary, chronology, list of sources, and notes on the text also add helpful information.

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