Beacon of Hope (A Big Words Book)

Gr 1-4--The latest title in Rappaport's highly successful "Big Words Book" biography series focuses on Barack Obama. Using quotes to guide the narrative, the author captures the childhood and early influences on the life of the future president as he faced multiple moves, family changes, and racism as a multiracial young person growing up in Indonesia and Hawaii. Grappling with his identity and finding his place in the world are clearly detailed as Obama grows up and moves to the mainland of the United States for college and law school. His desire to make the world a better place is illustrated in his dedication to community activism in Chicago and then throughout his political career. His own words are used to infuse the text with honesty and purpose; this use of quotes from President Obama elevates the text and adds the expected depth that characterizes this outstanding series. Illustrations evoke warmth and a sense of purpose with lush colors and emotional tones. Source notes encourage further exploration of this highly influential figure in history. VERDICT A very successful biography that portrays a purpose-driven life fueled from Obama's early years to the White House; the text captures the energy and passion of a man who broke barriers and changed history.--John Scott

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Further cements the 44th U.S. president’s status as a strong role model and an admirable human being.

Striking.

Praise for Ellen Takes Flight:

A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
A 2023 Chicago Public Library Best Informational Book for Young Readers
​A Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Book of 2023
A 2024 National Science Teaching Association Best STEM Book
A CBC Children's and Teacher Favorites List Selection
A Rhode Island Children's Book Award Nominee
A book sure to fly off shelves and into children's hands.—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Inspirational.... Dominguez's engineering-like mixed-media art fittingly captures the underlying details around Ochoa's determination and time spent in space.—Publishers Weekly, starred review
The majestic art is done in gouache, ink, color pencil, and pastel. The paintings are reminiscent of Norman Rockwell's work and have incredible detail.... An excellent picture book biography of a groundbreaking Latina that soars. —School Library Journal, starred review

Praise for Ruth Objects:

ALSC Notable Children's Books
2021 RISE List Top Ten
Velasquez's arresting jacket portrait of Ginsburg, superimposed on a facsimile of the U.S. Constitution, conveys a woman of purpose; Rappaport's biography, largely focused on Ginsburg's work for gender equality, reinforces this first impression.—Horn Book
A very successful biography that portrays a purpose-driven life fueled from Obama's early years to the White House; the text captures the energy and passion of a man who broke barriers and changed ­history.—School Library Journal, starred review
A respectful profile of Barack Obama, from childhood to the White House.... Further cements the 44th U.S. president's status as a strong role model and an admirable human being.—Kirkus Reviews
The illustrations, done in oil glazes over an acrylic medium, are richly textured.... An excellent successor to the legacy of Big Words books, marked by titles that introduce young readers to sophisticated vocabulary and ideas.—Booklist, starred review