The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall’s Life, Leadership, and Legacy

Magoon and Freeman team up to present this overview of the life of Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall, covering his early-20th-century childhood in segregated Baltimore, his persistent fight against segregation, his initiation as the first Black member of the Supreme Court in 1967, and his death in 1993. Magoon employs a measured tone throughout, emphasizing Marshall’s concern with fairness alongside plenty of biographical details, including his two marriages, the second of which defied anti-miscegenation laws. Freeman’s layered digital illustrations enrich the narrative. One memorable spread shows a subtly hued time-lapse of Marshall presenting “seven important cases before the Supreme Court,” which centers Marshall by depicting the court from behind a row of unidentifiable seated white men. Compelling paragraphs make this an appealing read about a Black figure who had a large and lasting impact on U.S. law. Back matter contains a timeline, major court cases, further reading, and a bibliography. Ages 4–8. [em](Jan.) [/em]