Hillary Rodham Clinton: Some Girls Are Born to Lead

Whether she was “acing tests” and “upstaging boys in class” or organizing elementary school fund-raisers to help the poor, Hillary Rodham bucked the status quo at a young age and began to blaze a trail for women with her drive, smarts, and support of public service and social justice (“Take that, 1950s!”). Adopting a breezy tone, Markel (Brave Girl) concisely outlines Clinton’s journey from activist to First Lady of Arkansas and on to Washington, D.C. Markel hails Clinton as a “superwoman” and notes her reaction to sexist criticism, as well as her ability to pick up the mantle after suffering policy defeat. Without mentioning Clinton’s current campaign for the White House in the main text (it is included an extensive closing time line), Markel writes, “No matter what Hillary does next, if she wants to change the world, she’ll find a way.” Pham’s (the Freckleface Strawberry series) watercolors are steeped in period detail as she depicts Clinton beaming at her wedding, working on the campaign trail, making key speeches, and meeting with dignitaries. Ages 4–8. [em]Author’s agent: Anna Olswanger, Olswanger Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt Agency. (Jan.) [/em]