Gloria Takes a Stand

December 1, 2018

Gr 2-5-Born in the mid-1930s, Gloria Steinem began her life in an era when rights for various classes of people were limited. As her father was an itinerant antiques dealer, Steinem yearned for a permanent home so she could make friends and go to school, which became possible only after her parents divorced. She distinguished herself as a student and after graduating from Smith College, began a career in journalism. From that point on, Steinem pursued a life working toward social justice. The author skillfully conveys Steinem's endeavors and the qualities that have undergirded her drive. Every few pages, in bold italic font, the author summarizes a period in Steinem's life with three short sentences, such as "Gloria listened. She watched. And wrote," often preceded or followed by a popular quote. The artwork, done in watercolor and accented with black sumi ink, conveys what the illustrator explains in the back matter as, "bright skies...during marches and protests, as if the universe champions her work amid the struggle." This is a great read for younger kids who want to be inspired to make positive change in the world. Pair it with Debbie Levy's I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark (Steinem and Ginsburg were born a year apart). VERDICT An excellent picture book biography about a courageous activist, advocate, and leader.-Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 15, 2019
A tribute to feminist icon, activist, and writer Gloria Steinem.Several spreads cover Steinem's childhood, with details loosely connected to the narrative. She challenged gender-based assumptions starting with her decision to go to college, where she loved the "ideas, books, and discussions about everything!" After graduation, instead of looking to marry and start a family, she traveled and wrote in India, where she listened to people talking through their problems. When she returned to the United States and looked for a job, instead of settling for work as a secretary or a teacher, she became a journalist and continued to listen to people and write. Her decision to attend and cover the March on Washington, her decision to co-found Ms. Magazine, and her organizing to become a leader of the women's liberation movement are framed as natural outgrowths of her desire to listen and create space for people to be heard and to demand equal rights. The paragraphs can be dense, but the design often uses quotes by Steinem and a series of short sentences in display type ("Gloria believed. She marched. And dreamed") to highlight a given spread's main points. The illustrations, done in soft, natural colors, place the white feminist beside or in front of ethnically diverse groups of people. The Ms. Magazine covers lining the endpapers promise an engaging read, but the rambling text may leave young readers uninspired. (author's note, illustrator's note, timeline, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 8-12)

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March 1, 2019
Grades 1-4 Adding to the growing, yet still needed, #MeToo books for young readers comes this picture-book biography of Gloria Steinem. Starting with Gloria's childhood, traveling the country for her family's antique business instead of attending school, Rinker continues with her attendance at Smith College in the 1950s. As Steinem began to notice gender disparities, she eventually saw that women's rights bridged with civil rights. After listening to women's stories when no one else seemed to, Steinem began to speak out as a feminist and, in 1971, along with Dorothy Pitman Hughes, she created Ms. magazine, the first magazine owned and written by women. The author highlights each phase of Steinem's life with direct (though undocumented) quotes and with three short sentences, such as Gloria listened. She watched. And wrote, which become a refrain. Textured and digitally enhanced mixed-media illustrations evoke the diversity she celebrated, while endpapers sport Ms. covers with Maya Angelou, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and other groundbreaking feminists. Back matter gives more details on both Steinem and women's history in the U.S.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)