What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan traces her life, beginning with her childhood in the Fifth Ward of Houston, Texas. Barton mentions the influence that her grandfather and her high school teachers had on her decision to study law. He details her service first as a Texas state senator and later as a United States Congresswoman. The concluding pages reveal her struggle with multiple sclerosis and her decision to return to Texas, teaching at the University of Texas at Austin.

The narrative emphasizes Barbara Jordan’s distinctive communication abilities by frequently repeating the word voice. The multiple meanings for this term are implied as readers learn of her unwavering defense of principle. Thought-provoking questions are posed. Each page turn brings answers and further elaboration. Barton makes it clear that in additional to her verbalization skills, Jordan is remembered for her devotion to the constitution and the values of right and wrong.

Page design and layout is particularly striking. Collages include campaign memorabilia and a photo of a television screen, which lend authenticity to the work. Innovative use of font size and color give added emphasis to key points. ​Back matter includes an author's note, time line, a list of recommended books and videos.

​This exceptional picture book is a treat for the mind, heart, and eyes. What a fitting tribute to a remarkable woman. Well done, Mr. Barton and Ms. Holmes.

After reading about the life of this extraordinary woman, view a video retrospective of her life and a recording of her opening statement during the congressional impeachment hearings. Her voice is compelling. Her influence is immeasurable.

The value of this book will be enhanced with further exploration in the classroom. There are many themes here which would make excellent discussion points: 

• Freedom and what it means to be free. Consider the larger context of freedom in a world view and compare that with the granular from the standpoint of classroom rules.
• Familiar vs. the unknown
• Time: the passage of time and our perceptions of time. Consider the words “always” and “moment”
• Friendship: what it means to be a friend and the long-term effects of friendship
• Harbor: what is a harbor (this may be a new concept for students living in land-locked areas) and what does harbor mean in the larger sense.
• Poetry as a means of expression
• Tragedy: the place that tragic events have in our lives

References to Harmonic Convergence, Ailanthus tree, Francisco Alarcón and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn may be unfamiliar to young readers. They provide opportunities for further exploration and discussion.
I was also intrigued by the choice to forgo quotation marks and use italics to denote dialog. This stylistic decision is well-suited to the narrative.
As a former classroom teacher, I can easily see this as a class study, with a copy of Harbor Me for each student.  Reading and discussing together, the shared experience would help students create their own ​ARTT.

Introduce young readers to these classics mentioned in Harbor Me.

​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Brynn has precious little to live for. To hope for. One of her lifelines is Mr. Grimm, her Applied Language Arts teacher. He assigns students to write a letter to a celebrity. Brynn opts to correspond with Rachel Maddow because she “pisses off my mom.” Much of the book consists of draft emails she composes and addresses to Maddow. Only once does she actually press the send button.

She grudgingly develops tenuous friendships with her new classmates and eventually, with their encouragement, takes on an inequity she uncovers in school government. She learns firsthand the nastiness of politics when she challenges a clique of Honors students, demanding equal representation for all members of the student body. Led by power-hungry Adam, the Honors group exerts considerable influence and resorts to a vicious smear campaign to sway popular opinion. Brynn is crushed.

There are a few glimmers of hope for Brynn. When she can no longer live at home, friends offer her a place to stay and a part time job. ​She gains the courage to walk away from toxic relationships and begins to believe in herself and in a possible future. She meets someone special who returns her affection.

I fell in love with Brynn from the very first page. Her brittle exterior and biting snark shield her bruised and battered inner self. She is smart, resourceful, and perceptive. She is a fighter. Even when the odds are impossibly stacked against her, she soldiers on. I ached for her, I cheered for her, I so wanted her to succeed.
​Thanks Adrienne Kisner for introducing me to Brynn Harper. Signed, Your fan always.

Sean Qualls employs a predominantly sepia-toned pallet. It heightens the warmth of family connection. There is a sense of the humanity and humility of this man and of his family, grounded in their country and its people.

Just this week. Just this week. A tween was in tears because of a cutting remark about her body size/shape. As tears and hurt and shame spilled from her eyes and lips and heart, I kept thinking, "What can she do?  What can I do? What can we all do to prevent this type of ugly treatment?"
Susan Hughes offers some thoughtful things to consider in What Happens Next. 
Told through a series of statements usually beginning with the word "what,” a young girl describes events in her life.  Each statement is followed by her observations and inner thoughts.

Her feelings are real and raw. It hurts to read of her endless pain. Her only solace is her dog Sparky. Eventually she is able to share her feelings with her mother and together they formulate a plan to help her cope with the hostility she encounters. The book ends on a hopeful note. 

​Pub date: March 15, 2018       Publisher: Owlkids        ISBN: 978-1771471657

Lola fulfills the assignment, creating a pastiche of images incorporating joyous memories with painful ones. The finished product is evidence her of understanding of the past, appreciation for the present, and hope for the future of her homeland.The evil that once threatened this island will not destroy the life and love and hope of its people. ​

Without mentioning a specific individual, Díaz uses the imagery of a monster to explain the cruelties of life under a ruthless dictator. He handles this difficult topic with a sensitivity and understanding appropriate for young readers.

Espinosa's vibrant illustrations capture the wonder and vitality of the island. Pages brimming with details of island life invite exploration. The full-page spread depicting the monster attacking the island is frightful. However, the overall tone of the images throughout the book, especially facial expressions and body language, depicts a family that offers reassurance and security in times of distress.

Islandborn is the English edition and  Lola, the Spanish edition of this picture book from 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Díaz.

The beauty of this book is the acknowledgement of this universal truth: often children do not remember events from early childhood. They rely on family and others within their circle to help them construct a sense of identity, history, and heritage.

After reading Islandborn, youngsters can be encouraged to search for information about their own family history and heritage. Research may take the form of interviews, family stories, music, recipes, artifacts, and more. Many years ago, I attended a workshop presented by Alma Flor Ada. She suggested that schools can help children discover and appreciate their identity and heritage. I was inspired by her presentation and decided to implement a few of her suggestions with a group of eight-year-old youngsters. Here's what we did:
Each student interviewed a family member, organized the results of individual research into a biography, and published the personal narrative as a book. Text was enhanced with copies of family photographs and student-created illustrations. We also (a suggestion from Dr. Ada) solicited recipes from families and compiled a cookbook of family recipes. A copy of the cookbook was prepared for the family of each student.
Then came the celebration! Families were invited to school to read the amazing family stories and to sample the delicious dishes from a variety of cultures. This became an annual event, shared with extended families.

This graphic novel format introduces twenty-nine remarkable women. The names of some are well known. Others are less familiar. All share one distinguishing feature: every woman lived her life as a rebel. Some faced obstacles because of birth. Others were challenged by circumstances. Each found herself straining against cultural norms, injustice, and personal hardship. Each overcame adversity and became a champion of change.
So many stories to sample. Where to begin?
​Do you want something sweet? Try Giorgina Reed, Lighthouse Keeper; Josephina Van Gorkum, Obstinate Lover; or Temple Grandin, Animal Whisperer.
Are you looking for something complex? Learn about Leymah Gbowee, Social Worker; Christine Jorgenson, Reluctant Celebrity; or Mae Jemison, Astronaut.
Read the book from cover to cover or dip in and sample the variety of stories as you fancy. Either way, it's savory and satisfying reading.

Back matter includes a list of thirty additional ladies who rocked the world.
Note: One hopes that these individuals will receive expanded treatment in a follow-up volume.  Bagieu also provides her own author's biography with a layout similar to that of the twenty-nine featured women.
Look for tales of firebrands, revolutionaries, visionaries, and nonconformists. This scrumptious collection of vignettes will entertain, provoke thought, and provide a starting place for further study and research.  Enticing reading.

Sample pages: Meet Nzinga, Queen of Ndongo and Matamba Empress Wu Zetian. 

Note the vivid color and lush design featured in this two-page spread highlighting the life and accomplishments of Annette Kellerman.  She was a remarkable pioneer who revolutionized women's swimwear. Kellerman designed functional swimming suits for women.  At the time her creations were considered scandalous.  She also built a career as an actress, appearing in about twenty films.  Later she became an author and advocate for health and fitness. ​

She runs alongside registered competitors, completing the entire marathon and crossing the finish line with them. Sadly, her effort was ignored by the marathon director and her results received no official recognition. Nonetheless, her achievement was a seminal moment in the struggle to erase misconceptions of a woman's ability to compete in arduous athletic contests. Echoing the pace of the race, the text keeps readers engrossed in the story as it builds to a triumphal conclusion. Readers will find themselves cheering for her.
​Go Bobbi! Go every girl and woman who wants to join the race!
​Back matter includes an afterword, a note of the use of Bobbi's name, a selected bibliography, and attribution for the quotes used throughout the text.
Poignant. Inspiring.

Collages created by Micha Archer are stunning.  They add important details and context to the story. When Bobbi attends the Boston Marathon as a spectator, points along the 26.2-mile route run across the bottom of the two-page spread. When Bobbi secretly enters the Boston Marathon, Archer begins to chronicle her route from start to finish on the base of each page. She ingeniously depicts the elevation as well as the distance of the entire course. The final spread features Bobbi running up a hill, leading a pack of girls running.  Beneath their feet the names of previous female marathon participants are inscribed on solid ground. The symbolism is exquisite.

Try these picture book biographies