NO TRUTH WITHOUT RUTH

Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought long and hard every step of her journey to become only the second woman to be named to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Girls in orthodox Jewish families like Ruth Bader’s were expected to marry young and support their husbands’ careers. Her mother had followed that path, but she wanted Ruth to have the opportunities she missed. Ruth was determined to be all that her mother had dreamed for her. Krull follows Ruth as she finds a way to succeed in a world in which girls were supposed to hide their intelligence and had limited opportunities for careers. She was passionate about learning and “scary smart,” and she was impressed by those who stood up for themselves and for fair treatment of all people. She faced and overcame discrimination on account of her faith and her gender. Large, colorful illustrations complement and highlight the text. Zhang captures the look and style of each era in Ginsburg’s life, subtly altering her appearance as she grows older. Naming Ginsburg a “change-maker,” Krull optimistically states that women “used to face unfairness” and that society now takes equality for granted. Employing a strongly admiring tone and accessible language, the author emphasizes Ginsburg’s struggles, strengths, and triumphs, shouting key points in large, bold, stand-apart typeface.

Ginsburg is on the highest court but not on a pedestal in this informative, well-told biography.