The Horn Book Guide

BIOGRAPHIES

Winter, Jonah

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx / La juez que creció en el Bronx

40 pp. | Atheneum | November, 2009 | Trade ISBN 978-1-4424-0303-1 $16.99

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Edel Rodriguez. Sotomayor's inspiring life is described in this picture book biography. The story begins in a South Bronx housing project and sees her through Princeton, early judgeships, and finally the U.S. Supreme Court. Though the writing (in English and Spanish) is overblown ("her blossoming began with her mother's love and hard work"), Winter makes his subject accessible. Rodriguez's mixed-media illustrations are warmly expressive.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham