Reviews

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy

tessakris's review

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5.0

This is a picture book I added to my to read list a couple of years ago. It was lovely & filled me with emotion. I’m so grateful for RBG & what she did.

bookish_smorgasbord's review

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A great, accessible biography on RBG written for younger readers. I love the back page full of sources for included quotations, a select bibliography, and notes on Supreme Court cases. The final two pages flesh out biographical details and provide additional context. Elizabeth Baddeley contributes fantastic illustrations. (Also, the layouts, font, text and image interplay, and texture of the paper made for a pleasurable overall reading experience!)

aoosterwyk's review

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5.0

A clear and simple biography stating the importance of RBG in representing ALL the voices of our nation and as a terrific role model for girls/women.
I can’t wait to receive my RBG action figure😍

cimorene1558's review

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5.0

Excellent, very well done!

effiekaradimitri's review

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5.0

Great for character traits!

harridansstew's review

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4.0

I loved this picture biography - it simply shows the story of RBG (and how disagreeing is a great thing).

mugglemom's review against another edition

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4.0

I agree

Great book for target age group. The bright and colorful pictures are very pleasing to the eye as well as depicting key events in Judge Ginsberg life.

listen_learn's review

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3.0

A powerfully-written, picture-book biography. While I commend the author for her compelling prose and well-structured and justified main idea, I disagree (ironically) with the tone of the book. Having read two accounts of RBG in the court within the past year ([b:Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World|24331373|Sisters in Law How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World|Linda Hirshman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1435602442s/24331373.jpg|43910432] and[b:My Own Words|29868604|My Own Words|Ruth Bader Ginsburg|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475462006s/29868604.jpg|49756700]) as well as having read and watched interviews with the justice, I don't think most of her legacy is about dissenting. Ruth Ginsburg has made a point of building her opinions, whether they are with or against the court, with respectful and carefully measured words. By her own description, she thinks steps forward are made only when dissent is used judiciously and sparingly.

While the book does hint to this idea - for example, by mentioning her friendship with Justice Scalia, despite their often differing opinions - I felt that the tone overall did not emphasize this important aspect of Justice Ginsburg's work. I think part of my discomfort was with the illustrations, which I felt showed Justice Ginsburg as more angry and bitter-looking than she appears in general. That's not to say that Justice Ginsburg never wears the expressions from the book, but rather I don't think she does as often as is potrayed.

I guess I kind of wish this book had had a different title: "I Respect". Then it could have shown how Justice Ginsburg's real message to us all is that dissenting is not enough, though it is crucial. Speaking out is not enough, though it is vital. One must dissent and speak out in a way that shows one respects and values the person with whom one is disagreeing.

izzieburns's review

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4.0

I love the points made by this book. Lovely illustrations too.

alex_renee_is_reading_away's review

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5.0

perfect for inspiring young girls.