A Take-Charge Girl Blazes a Trail to Congress: The Story of Jeannette Rankin

“Take-charge girl” Jeannette Rankin (1880–1973) inspires in this lively, quote-filled picture book about her journey to become the first U.S. congresswoman. Early scenes of Rankin’s Montana upbringing highlight her can-do attitude, leading into descriptions of her later charitable work in San Francisco and New York City, where the hardships she witnesses galvanize her to campaign for women’s suffrage and to run for office. Woefle narrates with a conversational tone that makes Rankin feel accessible (“But what if... Montana elected a CONGRESSWOMAN?!”). Rankin exudes confidence in quaint acrylic ink and colored pencil artwork that portrays doll-like figures with various skin tones, though the text does not address racial disparities around the right to vote. A concluding scene of the politician striding to the Capitol accentuates the boundless energy stressed by text: “But she wasn’t there for smiles and handshakes./ She had work to do!” An author’s note, timeline, bibliography included. Ages 7–10. (Feb.)