Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 11/01/2019 Gr 5 Up—This book provides brief biographies of 50 women who made a difference as leaders, advisors to presidents, political trailblazers, or congresswomen. A few acted outside of government but advocated for those with less power, such as Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett, who reported on lynching. The book is organized in alphabetical order; each woman receives two pages that feature an oversize illustration and quote. Readers may recognize some of the women, like the five first ladies, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris. Most interesting are less familiar subjects, such as Crystal Bird Fauset, the first African American woman elected to the state legislature in the United States. Back matter provides names of additional women who might have been included, and sources from speeches and the press. There is an instruction guide on how to stand up, speak out, and make a difference. VERDICT A book that deserves to be read front to back. Girls will feel inspired by this diverse and accomplished group who made their voices heard in order to incite real change. Researchers will find a variety of heroes to study and admire.—Patricia Aakre, P.S. 89, New York - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 11/15/2019 There are many books today that deal with women's history, and this one, by a long-serving state senator from Virginia and her author daughter-in-law, stands out for the breadth of its coverage, its attractive format, and the power symbols that accompany each two-page feature on each subject. Each symbol represents personal qualities or traits that the women incorporated into their lives, such as courage, resourcefulness, community, and integrity. The 50 American women profiled are primarily from the worlds of activism and politics, and most are either from the twentieth or the twenty-first century (though Abigail Adams and several others lived earlier). Many of the women, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Nikki Haley, will be familiar to today's audience. Others, including Magaret Chase Smith, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Barbara Jordan, will inspire a new generation. Although the writing is staid in places, the strong portraits of each woman, the crisp page layouts, and the wealth of information will draw in readers. The foreword by Hillary Clinton, which discusses forging change and leading the way, makes for a strong entry to this inspiring book. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.