PHENOMENAL AOC

The sparkling biography of a young changemaker.

Born into a working-class Puerto Rican American family in the Bronx, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, or AOC, became aware of economic disparities around her at a young age, starting when her family moved to suburban Yorktown Heights. In school, she worked to disprove those who didn’t believe that “a brown girl from the BX” could achieve the highest grades in the class. Her passion for activism was kindled when she recognized the injustice of different neighborhoods having access to different resources. Reeling from the death of her father, she worked hard to graduate college with honors and went door to door campaigning for progressive candidates and supported climate justice efforts. Passionate, driven, and intelligent, AOC ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and, in 2018, beat the long-standing incumbent by a landslide, becoming the youngest congresswoman in America. Paired with bold illustrations that match AOC’s vibrant personality, the text highlights the importance of challenging the establishment and advocating for change when systems aren’t working. The clear voice and thoughtful inclusion of powerful quotes by Ocasio-Cortez create a compelling underdog story with a hopeful message. The election process is simplified for young readers but accurately charts AOC's path to Congress. Young activists will find inspiration in the details of AOC’s life. A variety of ethnic backgrounds is represented in the illustrated characters. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Pure moxie.