Sonia Sotomayor: Supreme Court Justice

by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, Thomas Gonzalez (Illustrator)

On August 8, 2009, Sonia Sotomayor became the U.S. Supreme Court's first Hispanic justice and the third woman to serve the Court. In elegant free verse, Carmen T. Bernier-Grand describes Sotomayor's remarkable journey from her childhood in the projects near Yankee Stadium to her stellar academic achievements at Ivy League universities to her rapid rise in the legal profession. When confirmed as a federal judge in the Southern District of New York, she said, "I feel I can touch the sky." Also Biographical Summary, Glossary, Chronology, Sources, and Notes.

Genres: Nonfiction, Law, Biography, History, Poetry

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Carmen T. Bernier-Grand is a national award winning author of eleven books for children and young adults. She teaches writing at the Whidbey Island MFA, a program of Northwest Literary Arts, at Writers in the Schools, a program of Oregon Literary Arts, and at Wordstock.

In 2008, The Oregon Library Association's Children's Division gave her the Evelyn Lampman Award for her significant contribution to the children of Oregon in the field of children's literature.

Bernier-Grand was born in Puerto Rico but lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, Jeremy Grand, and her bilingual dog, Lily.

(source)

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving book about Supreme Court justice, Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina justice. The book by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand is similar to her other biographies on Picasso and other Latino important figures. The story is told in a form of prose poetry that is less difficult to read and tells important events in the person's life. Sonia as a Puerto Rican-American had to cope with the difference in cultures in New York City and Puerto Rico as well as the fact that her first language is Spanish. She attended Catholic school which apparently didn't have ESOL services and she had to cope on her own to learn English and do school work in that language. In college, she struggled to write papers in English and in Princeton University, she was frustrated to see no Latino professors, organizations and few students. Leading a protest, Princeton promised to do better in attracting more Latinos to the university. The story continues to the present day when she was nominated and confirmed for the Supreme Court. A very moving story which interested me in reading her autobiography.

[RYCJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written for early readers, Sonia Sotomayor's memoir concisely chronicles her life from birth to becoming the first Hispanic Justice in the high court of the United States of America.

This is a wonderful annotated rendition of Sonia's life. There was just enough information to appreciate her experiences through moving remembrances of her father, and their love for baseball, along with a brother who she looked after growing up in the projects, and a mother who encouraged her through models of striving for excellence. Everything was so clear, so plainly laid out, to include the two early motivators that inspired her push to the Supreme Court Justice and colorful pictures to support her story.

Nicely done. A fine table-top book to add to any library.

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, illustrated book about the life of Justice Sonia Sotomayor, aimed at younger readers. This book has beautiful illustrations, choppy prose and is difficult to read on some devices. I had to turn it sideways on my Kindle Fire and still the text was too small. It is an inspiring story of the childhood, education and career of the nation’s first Latina justice. Her story is inspiring, and she overcame many obstacles. A wonderful read for little ones.

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for kids!

[Vernon Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good quick read...

Informational and inspirational, shows with some hard work and good people around you. You can make a better way. Not heavy, and easy read...

[Citri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really said the men she was with really ain't shit and I love that

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. I admire Justice Sotomayor and proud that she is the first Latino female to serve on the US Supreme Court. However, this book lacked in flow and the illustrations were all over the place. I was confused as to what age group this book for intended for...is it a picture book or a middle school reader? There were several aspects that seemed too old for young kids to comprehend. While the sprinkling of Latino facts, the glossary of the Spanish words, and the diverse illustrations make it readable.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving free verse biography with beautiful illustrations. Describes the life of a wonderful hard-working role model who surmounted early disadvantages and discrimination to become the first Latina Supreme Court Justice.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative overview of the justice's life written in free verse. Excellent back matter. Nice illustrations.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of strength and fortitude in the face of what others might consider insurmountable obstacles. It is the American immigrant story at its best. Sonia is my new heroine.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it was interesting. She works A LOT!