The Highest Tribute

Starred review from December 7, 2020
Magoon and Freeman team up to present this overview of the life of Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall, covering his early-20th-century childhood in segregated Baltimore, his persistent fight against segregation, his initiation as the first Black member of the Supreme Court in 1967, and his death in 1993. Magoon employs a measured tone throughout, emphasizing Marshall’s concern with fairness alongside plenty of biographical details, including his two marriages, the second of which defied anti-miscegenation laws. Freeman’s layered digital illustrations enrich the narrative. One memorable spread shows a subtly hued time-lapse of Marshall presenting “seven important cases before the Supreme Court,” which centers Marshall by depicting the court from behind a row of unidentifiable seated white men. Compelling paragraphs make this an appealing read about a Black figure who had a large and lasting impact on U.S. law. Back matter contains a timeline, major court cases, further reading, and a
bibliography. Ages 4–8.

December 1, 2020
Born, raised, and educated in segregated early-20th-century Baltimore, Thurgood Marshall did not allow what he saw around him to determine who he could become. Though he was too young to make changes to the systems that kept Black people from enjoying the same rights and spaces as White people, Marshall knew that he wanted to find a way to improve the world in which he lived. It was a fateful day when he was caught misbehaving and was punished by being forced to read the U.S. Constitution. That punishment developed his interest in the law and, eventually, debate. Readers learn that not only did Marshall win the case that integrated the University of Maryland, the institution that barred him from attending its law school, but he presented several cases before the Supreme Court--including Brown v. Board of Education--before he became a justice in 1967. Marshall's life is detailed in bite-size pieces that make this book incredibly useful for reading and research by young students. The backmatter includes a timeline of Marshall's life, a list of his major cases, and a bibliography for further reading. Many of Freeman's illustrations incorporate text; in one scene, a young Marshall confronts a dizzying array of "Whites Only" and "Colored Section" signs; in another, he's framed in a crossword-puzzle grid including terms such as justice and equality. (This book was reviewed digitally with 12-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.) Will serve to empower children who feel as powerless as Thurgood Marshall once felt. (Picture book/biography. 5-8)

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December 1, 2020

Gr 1-4-Explaining court cases and constitutional law to children can be a daunting task, but this title effectively describes Thurgood Marshall's accomplishments. Freeman's digital illustrations feature lifelike images and bold symbols to create beautiful collages that represent important topics and themes. Details from Marshall's childhood, including discussions at the dinner table about segregation and unfair laws, demonstrate the start of his journey. Attending Lincoln University and Howard University Law School, both historically Black universities, prepared Marshall for his life's work. It also propelled him to try to change laws that limited Black people's choices. Throughout his academic and professional career, Marshall faced a series of challenges from people who sought to restrict others' rights. Marshall argued and won seven cases before the Supreme Court, including Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka. His work as an appellate judge and U.S. solicitor general affirmed his legal capabilities and led to his appointment as the first Black person to serve on the Supreme Court. The narrative features some information about his personal life, such as his first wife's death from cancer and his second marriage to a Filipina woman, which was controversial at the time because interracial marriage was still illegal in some states. This title uses a different tone and covers different events than Marshall, Jonah Winter and Bryan Collier's 2019 picture book biography. Both provide worthwhile examinations of Marshall's legacy. VERDICT Libraries will want this title, which celebrates a significant historical figure.-Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's Sch., Richmond, VA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2020
Grades K-3 This informative picture-book biography of Thurgood Marshall begins with his youth in Baltimore, where his family discussed issues such as segregation at the dinner table. Enjoying the challenge and camaraderie of the high-school debate team, he became a persuasive speaker, and he later began a successful career as an attorney working with others to break down barriers affecting minority citizens of all ages. After winning many notable civil rights cases, including Brown v. Board of Education, he became the first Black American to be appointed U.S. Solicitor General and Supreme Court Justice. While concisely telling the story of Marshall's life and his professional milestones, Magoon emphasizes one of his greatest strengths: his ability to collaborate with others working toward a common goal. This approach would serve him well throughout his career. Freeman's well-structured digital artwork uses color effectively and sometimes approaches subjects unconventionally. In one scene, she uses seven images of Marshall (at different ages, wearing different suits) standing to argue significant Supreme Court cases. A handsome, well-organized account of Marshall's life and work.

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