Gloria Takes a Stand: How Gloria Steinem Listened, Wrote, and Changed the World

by Jessica M. Rinker, Daria Peoples-Riley (Illustrator)

Overview

Perfect for fans of I Dissent comes an inspirational and empowering account of the life of women's rights icon Gloria Steinem.

As a young girl, Gloria Steinem thought for herself and spoke her mind. She read many books by her favorite authors and imagined herself as the heroine of the story.

Gloria wished. She read. And imagined.

But Gloria grew up during a time when women were not encouraged, or even allowed, to do a lot of the things men could do: go to college, get a job, open a bank account, and more. There were restrictions that made it impossible for women to be independent or equal to men. So, Gloria set out to change that . . .

Gloria listened. She watched. And wrote.
Gloria believed. She marched. And dreamed.

From unconventional childhood, to Smith College, to Ms. magazine, to the women's liberation movement, to feminist icon--Gloria Takes a Stand brings to the page a spirited look at Gloria Steinem's influential life, energizing a new generation of feminists to stand up and demand equal rights for all people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681196770
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	03/12/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jessica M. Rinker has a BA in social welfare from Bloomsburg University and an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She's a freelance writer and the author of several award-winning essays, poems, and short stories. By listening to people--real or fictional--and telling their stories, Jess hopes to make change in the world just as Gloria has. She has three kids and currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, also a children's author.
@jm_rinker

Daria Peoples-Riley makes children's books with a few inspirational words and a whole lot of colorful paint. She is a former 6th grade teacher who hopes to change the world one book at a time. She has also illustrated This Is It.
www.dariapeoples.com
@DariaPeoples

Editorial Reviews

A great read for younger kids who want to be inspired to make positive change in the world. Pair it with Debbie Levy's I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark. . . . An excellent picture book biography about a courageous activist, advocate, and leader.” —School Library Journal

“Filled with bright pop art and thought-provoking images, patterns, and styles that transform as the years pass, Gloria's story will inspire a new generation to follow their dreams and fight for equality.” —Foreword Reviews

“A tribute to feminist icon, activist, and writer Gloria Steinem. . . . Engaging.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Give[s] a new generation background into Gloria Steinem's life and influence.” —School Library Connection

“Adding to the growing, yet still needed, #MeToo books for young readers . . . Textured and digitally enhanced mixed-media illustrations evoke the diversity she celebrated.” —Booklist

From the Publisher

12/01/2018
Gr 2–5—Born in the mid-1930s, Gloria Steinem began her life in an era when rights for various classes of people were limited. As her father was an itinerant antiques dealer, Steinem yearned for a permanent home so she could make friends and go to school, which became possible only after her parents divorced. She distinguished herself as a student and after graduating from Smith College, began a career in journalism. From that point on, Steinem pursued a life working toward social justice. The author skillfully conveys Steinem's endeavors and the qualities that have undergirded her drive. Every few pages, in bold italic font, the author summarizes a period in Steinem's life with three short sentences, such as "Gloria listened. She watched. And wrote," often preceded or followed by a popular quote. The artwork, done in watercolor and accented with black sumi ink, conveys what the illustrator explains in the back matter as, "bright skies…during marches and protests, as if the universe champions her work amid the struggle." This is a great read for younger kids who want to be inspired to make positive change in the world. Pair it with Debbie Levy's I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark (Steinem and Ginsburg were born a year apart). VERDICT An excellent picture book biography about a courageous activist, advocate, and leader.—Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID

School Library Journal

2018-12-16

A tribute to feminist icon, activist, and writer Gloria Steinem.

Several spreads cover Steinem's childhood, with details loosely connected to the narrative. She challenged gender-based assumptions starting with her decision to go to college, where she loved the "ideas, books, and discussions about everything!" After graduation, instead of looking to marry and start a family, she traveled and wrote in India, where she listened to people talking through their problems. When she returned to the United States and looked for a job, instead of settling for work as a secretary or a teacher, she became a journalist and continued to listen to people and write. Her decision to attend and cover the March on Washington, her decision to co-found Ms. Magazine, and her organizing to become a leader of the women's liberation movement are framed as natural outgrowths of her desire to listen and create space for people to be heard and to demand equal rights. The paragraphs can be dense, but the design often uses quotes by Steinem and a series of short sentences in display type ("Gloria believed. She marched. And dreamed") to highlight a given spread's main points. The illustrations, done in soft, natural colors, place the white feminist beside or in front of ethnically diverse groups of people.

The Ms. Magazine covers lining the endpapers promise an engaging read, but the rambling text may leave young readers uninspired. (author's note, illustrator's note, timeline, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews