Ruth Bader Ginsburg Couldn't Drive?

by Dan Gutman, Allison Steinfeld (Illustrator)

From the best-selling author of My Weird a new entry in the cheerful and engaging biography series centered on high-interest historic figures. Did you know that Ruth Bader Ginsburg failed her driving test five times? Or that her real name was Joan? Bet you didn’t know that she liked paddle boarding, white water rafting, and riding elephants! She even had a praying mantis named after her. Siblings Paige and Turner have collected some of the most unusual and surprising facts about one of the most famous Supreme Court Justices in history, from her childhood to her rise as the superstar Notorious R.B.G. Narrated by the two spirited siblings and animated by Allison Steinfeld’s upbeat illustrations, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Couldn’t Drive? is an authoritative, accessible, and one-of-a-kind biography infused with Dan Gutman’s signature zany sense of humor. Black-and-white illustrations throughout

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Middle Grade, Humor, Childrens

112 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

The author of over 80 books in a little over a decade of writing, Dan Gutman has written on topics from computers to baseball. Beginning his freelance career as a nonfiction author dealing mostly with sports for adults and young readers, Gutman has concentrated on juvenile fiction since 1995. His most popular titles include the time-travel sports book Honus and Me and its sequels, and a clutch of baseball books, including The Green Monster from Left Field. From hopeful and very youthful presidential candidates to stunt men, nothing is off limits in Gutman's fertile imagination. As he noted on his author Web site, since writing his first novel, They Came from Centerfield, in 1994, he has been hooked on fiction. "It was fun to write, kids loved it, and I discovered how incredibly rewarding it is to take a blank page and turn it into a WORLD."

Gutman was born in New York City in 1955, but moved to Newark, New Jersey the following year and spent his youth there.

Reviews

[Joan]

I wish Gutman would write more biographies! They are excellent, full of kid friendly facts while also giving the less interesting facts painlessly. For example: RBG’s first name was NOT Ruth! It was Joan but there were a large number of Joans in the kindergarten class so her mom suggested they used Ruth for her which was her middle name. RBG loved music but couldn’t sing at all. Of course it also covered her career as a Justice, but not in great detail. Kids likely don’t need to know about her famous cases. However, there is a list of other kids’ biographies about her and Gutman mentioned a few he consulted. I found this excellent! Definitely recommend!

[Jennifer Wolf]

Super cute biography with Dan Gutman’s humor. Includes illustrations and a sister-and-brother tag team named Paige and Turner who deliver the facts.

[Ellon]

4 stars (I really liked it).

This was a different format for a biography but it made it fun! The book is a conversation between siblings with all the awesome facts about RBG. There are some inserts like a timeline, etc. The inserts were mostly seamless but a few times they broke up the flow of the narrative or seemed out of place. My only fault with the book is that it seemed to jump around from topics at some times.

I'm interested in reading more from this "Wait, What?" series.

[Christine LaBatt]

A cute informal biographer of the notorious RBG! The format of this is in the style of two siblings talking to each other about RBG's life. I thought it was really cute and really informative! I think this would be a great way to teach kids about such an important figure.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Hannah]

Lots of humor. Great for kids. Think I’ll send a copy to my niece!

A few fun trivia facts and a great way for children to learn about friendships and historical inquiries.

[Andrea Hartman]

Easy format to read with kids. Notorious RBG! ❤️

[Kelly]

A quick and fun biography for kids!

[Meagan Grauel]

What an awesome fact book about RBG! I love that it's geared towards kids and what information will be easy for them to consume. The author keeps the book funny and fast paced. The whole book is set up as a conversation between a brother and a sister and it's awesome. It sets up an even funnier dynamic and lends new topics to be introduced in a great way. I learned a ton of information about RBG and had fun doing it. I think this is a great way to introduce important historical figures and I would highly recommend this series for any kids elementary school aged!

[Rebecca Reid]

Review also on my blog: https://reviews.rebeccareid.com/ruth-...

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Couldn’t Drive? by Dan Gutman (N+orton Young Readers, 2022) is a part of the Wait! What? series by the creator of the popular My Weird School series (and a number of other fun middle-grade books). In this kid-friendly middle-grade biography, two kids, named appropriately Paige and Turner, teach the reader all about the life and influence of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. With cute black-and-white illustrations and dialog-based discussion, the text approaches the topic with plenty of light-hearted jokes and banter. There are tons of fun facts, including the titular fact that RBG was such a horrendous driver that her loved ones refused to let her do so.

Some kids may like the approach, which would better invite them into the story of RBG’s life. Occasional bullet-point pages provide lists with timeline events, historical events, and relevant facts to RBG’s era, and each two-page spread provides at least one cartoon illustration of either an amusing situation told in the text or a relevant quote from RBG or another historical figure. For struggling or disinterested readers, reading a biography might otherwise be dull and tedious. Maybe, for them, the kids’ humor in RBG Couldn’t Drive would keep them reading.

However, from my perspective as a parent (and former homeschool teacher), I felt Ruth Bader Ginsburg Couldn’t Drive was a distracting book as a biography. The jokes actually detracted from her story. When a page (six back-and-forth lines of dialog) jokes about whether you like prunes (literally nothing to do with RBG’s story), it may frustrate a struggling reader as they try to keep the thread of conversation. Further, an ending additional facts chapter seemed like an “I can one-up you!” contest between the kids, who are supposedly just now learning and sharing what they’d learned about RBG. A fact dump doesn’t seem a helpful approach to teaching concepts from an important person’s life. Some other chapters likewise seemed a bit too full of facts rather than banter and the contrast didn’t work for me.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Couldn’t Drive is certainly a unique approach for the middle-grade biography sphere. While the concept is good, it seems to fall a little short of the mark. I would not personally recommend such a biography to the readers I know, but it may be I haven’t met the kid this book would be the perfect fit.

Note: I received a digital copy of this book for review consideration.

[June Price]

What a fun book! Fun and informative. You get so caught up in the very realistic banter between siblings Turner and Paige (get it?) that you don't even realize how much you're learning, learning about not just Ginsburg but history and equal rights in the process. The fact the banter occasionally makes a brief detour, ie Turner and his thing for prunes, makes it all the more fun as Paige's response is very sister-like. There's even a section called "Mushy Stuff", which reminds us all the more of the probably target audience's age.

I liked the format. It made for a quick read and didn't dwell on any one specific fact for long, making things seem to move along all the more faster. True, as an adult reader I found myself wanting to know more at times but, hey, this wasn't written for me. That I thoroughly enjoyed it, however, speaks volumes for the humor and skill with it shown by author Dan Gutman. The artwork is simple but effective and even though there were reminders in the digital copy I read that the artwork wasn't final, it worked. The siblings' tone, I might note, even while lighthearted and occasionally playful, was respectful, even while revealing, say, RBG's lack of driving and cooking skills. Good thing her husband learned to cook, and cook well, huh? He was also the designated driver, so to speak.

Bottom line, this one is a winner and should appeal to both adults and the target audience of children. There is much to be learned, not just about Ginsburg but the times she lived and influenced. You know, considering the fact no law firm would even offer her a job after she graduated law school, Harvard, at that, she did okay, I'd say. No, better than okay. She became THE Notorious RBG.

Thanks #NetGalley and #WWNorton&Company - #NortonYoungReaders for the chance to get to know this remarkable woman better.

[Angie]

Written more like a readers theatre or script, this text is formatted differently than the average fiction or non-fiction, which will set it apart from other books on the shelves. This book is divided into chapters and involves a conversation between two children discussing interesting facts about Ruth Bader Ginsburg. There are also random sections like “Things women couldn’t do in the 1930s and 1940s” or “Stuff you don’t know about the supreme court”. There are small black and white illustrations, and comic-like scenes spread throughout, as well as very well-spaced text and a good about of white space on a page, making it less intimidating. With the choice to make this book more script like, there are less long paragraphs, with excess or difficult vocabulary. The interesting facts are more accessible to readers who are not overwhelmed by large paragraphs. As a grade 3 teacher, I would recommend this book to parents of children in the age 7-11 range. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

[Theediscerning]

Well this was better than I thought it would be, by far – even if it remains very much a USA-only book, the young of the rest of the world not giving a toss about RBG for all her pioneering spirit and bench presses. I assumed a weak affair with a poor narrative style, as two kids yack about the subject in unrealistic manner, but no – this was very chatty, but informative and not too cloying or weird or daffy an approach at all. It doesn't matter that apart from a few lists here and there the entire thing is a duologue between two siblings, reporting their homework and research to each other about the subject. You can always tell them apart but their personalities don't get in the way of this being a non-fiction book, and the approach pretty much does tell you what a teacher would want you to know, and in chronological order, for all the talk of daft trivia and promises of surprises. I never expected to be fully on board to check out future books in this franchise, but the quality of this left me in that state, so I wish it well.

[Abby]

After reading Notorious RBG earlier this year, I was so excited to get my hands on an ARC of this book.

The siblings’ banter and readers theater format make this a perfect addition to an elementary (3rd-6th) classroom library. Gutman includes all of the information you’d expect to find in a biography, but spends the bulk of his time helping younger readers understand how Ruth Bader Ginsburg became one of the most influential figures of the last century.

The illustrated quotations were some of my favorite pages, and I laughed out loud as I learned more about the lesser known pieces of RBG’s life.

I wasn’t familiar with Dan Gutman’s “Wait! What?” series, but I cannot wait to add these to my classroom library. Special thanks to #NetGalley and #NortonYoungReaders for the ARC of this absolute gem. I hope there are many more biographies to follow in this series!

[Mary T]

I really enjoyed this one! I've loved RBG ever since I read the picture book biography "I Dissent", and I also read a graphic novel about her by the same author. This new series was set up a bit differently -- as brother-and-sister narrators discussing some of the quirky, lesser known facts of a famous person. Cheesy at times, of course, but fun and informative, even though I felt like I already knew a lot about RBG. I will definitely be checking out the other books in the series. I've read many books in the Who Was? series (which are a little more detailed but a little less fun), and now I'll try to blaze through the ones so far in this series, too.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Robin]

This is the 5th volume in the "Wait! What?" series for young readers, and it continues the excellence of the previous volumes. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a perfect subject for this series. Throughout her life, she fought for women's rights, civil rights, and more, while also having a happy marriage and family. Her drawbacks are few - cannot drive, cannot cook. Readers learn about the Supreme Court here, and through Ginsberg's friendships with other justices, how to get along with, and enjoy the company of, people who think differently. Kindle formatting is still awful in this preprint, as were the previous volumes. I assume the final print and Kindle versions are OK. Excellent series! Thanks to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for providing an ARC.

[Leigh]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book.

I'm a big fan of Dan Gutman, and this installment of "Wait, What?" doesn't disappoint. Gutman has a handle on elementary readers, and does a great job creating books that are accessible to a wide range of reading abilities. This series is perfect for kids who like the Who Was series, while also appealing to kids who are less enamored by non-fiction. There is an audience for these books, for sure. Gutman does a great job blending important facts, with fun trivia, and I look forward to more in this series.

[Jan]

Facts, trivia, and fun are what makes this minibiography of the famous member of the Supreme Court Of The United States (SCOTUS) different. Presented as an interaction between siblings, it makes learning fun and easy.
The illustrations by Allison Steinfeld are delightful, imaginative line drawings.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age, great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from W. W. Norton & Company/Norton Young Readers via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Pam]

I received an electronic ARC from W.W. Norton through Edelweiss+.
Gutman's series of biographies offers information beyond the usual for middle grade readers. This book about Ginsburg continues this style. Readers learn about her life as a child, young person, and adult. We see her journey as told by two narrators having a discussion about her. The format of sharing their research through dialogue works to pull middle grade readers in. Gutman shares Ginsburg's life through humor and a relaxed discussion between siblings. I appreciate the references for further research included at the end.

[Denise Forrest]

I first heard of RBG through the film “On the basis of sex” so I already knew quite a lot about her but I thoroughly enjoyed this concise, children’s biography about her life and work. Written as a conversation between two characters, they were able to offer humorous asides and mini anecdotes before being brought back to the point by the other character. A great book to introduce children to this inspirational woman.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Wendy]

4 ⭐️. This was a fun, children's biography narrated by fictional siblings Paige and Turner. The book shares quirky, surprising facts about the legendary Supreme Court Justice; such as her real first name being Joan, her failing a driving test five times, her love for adventure, and that she was a poor cook, so her husband Marty took over the kitchen. I highly recommend this fun book, full of fun facts about a great lady, RBG.

[Hope Hunter]

This was an amazing book! Stuffed full of random fun facts about the famous RBG, it was also enjoyable to read. Told as a dialogue between two siblings who are comparing information, it humanized RBG, making her seem like a normal person while still magnifying the great work she did. I cannot wait to get this on my library shelves for the students.

[Jo P]

I have learned so much from this book! I love the format - siblings talking back and forth about RBG. I feel that this would keep kids engaged easily. The facts given are easy to absorb and there's truly so much information in this little book. It was fantastic.

Thanks NetGalley for the book!

[Caitrin]

Dan Gutman once again has written an amazing book that kids will love! It is the perfect amount of fun facts and real history all in one. The illustrations are stellar, and some make you laugh out loud. Dan Gutman really has a talent for writing books for reluctant readers. I learned some new facts about Ruth Bader Ginsburg myself. I can’t wait to introduce this book to some reluctant readers I know. I think it will be perfect for them. 5/5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Norton Young Readers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Suzy]

Dan Gutman does a good job of holding the attention of children with his books. This one was fun and filled with great information about RBG! I enjoyed it and my daughter liked reading it and looking through it with me.
Can't wait to share it at the library.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

[Mark]

This book was interesting to find out information about the second ever female Supreme Court Justice. There are lots of tidbits about RBG's life, her education, marriage, family, and life on the Supreme Court. Middle school students would likely be fascinated to hear trivia about her and the Court.

[Amy-Jo Conant]

Good for an intro to RBG. Format is fun and light and I think most kids who like to read biographies would enjoy it. If kids aren't exactly biography fans this might be a good starter book. Excited to see who else is part of the series.

[Jeanine]

Nice and cozy middle reader about Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As the title suggests, RBG was a terrible driver so her husband would drive her to court. Lots of other Interesting things about our second female justice on the Supreme Court.

[Jeannie Standal]

Love that this series highlights the lesser known, quirky facts about famous people in a fun conversational way. RBG was the second female supreme court justice and argued landmark cases that made progress toward the law treating men and women equally. Columbia grad, professor at Rutgers, Notorious RBG, blah, blah. But did you know that she was a terrible cook? And an awful driver? You can't be good at everything, right?

Would recommend to students in grades 3 to 6. Would recommend the entire series to elementary librarians. Good nonfiction fun.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Taylor]

I cannot believe this is what RBG has been reduced to for children.