KETANJI

Magoon and Freeman collaborate for a picture-book biography of the first Black female Supreme Court justice.

Ketanji Brown Jackson’s parents named her “lovely one,” dressed her in dashikis, and kept her hair natural, helping her to develop pride and belief in herself and her future. As a young person, she exuded confidence and sought ways to spread her “shining light,” from student government to the debate team. She excelled at Harvard College and Harvard Law School. She married, had two daughters, and held 10 different law-related positions before being nominated to the Supreme Court, an event that placed her in the national spotlight, where once again she inspired people with her poise. Her 2022 confirmation as the first Black woman Supreme Court justice broke a new barrier. Magoon’s straightforward prose allows Ketanji’s life story to speak for itself. While younger readers may get lost in some of the details of Ketanji’s adult experiences in law, the theme of Ketanji’s “shining star” connects the phases of her life and shows how she found her purpose. Freeman’s digital illustrations work hardest on spreads showing relationships between characters, highlighting the special roles of her parents and children in her life. The images of Ketanji become a bit repetitive, but readers won’t tire of the still too rare positive imagery of a superstar Black woman. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A needed celebration of America’s potential.