August 1, 2024
A vigorous biography of politician and activist Bella Abzug (1920-1998). Aronson begins by grounding Abzug's progressive worldviews in her Jewish childhood and highlighting her outspoken subject's earliest feats of activism, including reciting Kaddish for her father at age 13 in the men's section of a gender-segregated synagogue. Abzug's work fundraising for Zionist organizations is briefly mentioned; some readers may wish for more context. Covering her law career and political involvement--Abzug was the second Jewish woman to serve in Congress--Aronson touches on prominent allies such as Gloria Steinem and Shirley Chisholm as well as her critics' dismissals. D'Aquino's expressionistic ink, colored pencil, and wax crayon illustrations match Aronson's verve and admiration, spotlighting Abzug in vivid reds and depicting her in open-mouthed poses to demonstrate her relentless campaigning for social change. The author's fervent rhetoric sometimes results in confusing moments. Her explanation for why Abzug wore hats--"shehad to wear hats, because those wide-brimmed beauties represented authority and power"--may not make sense to all readers, but many will be swept past these occasional flourishes by the combined force of Abzug's and Aronson's determination. An author's note offers more information about Abzug's beliefs and causes, from the well known (Title IX) to the overlooked (the Equal Credit Opportunity Act). An adoring and inspirational life story, as ardent as its subject. (author's note, timeline, bibliography, photos, photo credits)(Picture-book biography. 5-10)
COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Starred review from October 15, 2024
Grades 2-4 *Starred Review* As a model of a flamboyant, loudmouthed liberal, it would be hard to top Bella Abzug, and here Aronson does her justice, taking readers from her Bronx childhood to her time in political office (campaign slogan: "This woman's place is in the House . . . the HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES.") and as a voice for many activist causes. Along with a tally of those causes, from defying the McCarthy witch hunts to promoting gay and women's rights, the author salutes her relentlessly confrontational style ("This girl was born bellowing") and links her to her Jewish roots, particularly the principle of tikkun olam ("repairing of the world"), and--justly or otherwise--credits her with creating "a whole new playbook for women in politics and across the nation." Readers will have no trouble picking her out of the crowds of marchers and supporters in the illustrations; as befits such a huge personality, D'Aquino dresses her in glaring red throughout, from her shoes to her trademark wide-brimmed hats. The author's note and time line at the end, which come with period photos, add further context to her times and achievements. "She didn't get everything she fought for, but she got the battle started." Could budding activists learn something from her example? Abzuglutely.
COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
November 1, 2024
This picture-book biography follows Bella Abzug (1920-1998), "the first woman elected to Congress on a women's rights platform," from her childhood defying gender roles at home, in the streets, and in her synagogue; through her career in law, activism, and politics. Aronson describes her personality, her accomplishments, and her brazenness. The layout of D'Aquino's child-friendly illustrations and occasional handwritten phrases brings the words to life and makes Abzug's impact tangible. The text is woven effectively into the illustrations, and the signature wide-brimmed red hats worn by "Battling Bella" make her figure jump out on every page. Issues such as sexism, war, prejudice, gay rights, and disability rights are discussed directly. Abzug's political losses are highlighted without showing those losses to be failures. The book ends with an inspirational call to action for readers in the twenty-first century to help fulfill Abzug's vision. An extensive author's note and a timeline provide further historical context; also appended with a selected bibliography. Miriam Steinberg-Egeth
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
November 1, 2024
Gr 1-4-This inspiring and informative picture book biography introduces readers to Bella Abzug, a lawyer, activist, and congresswoman who is often considered a pioneer for the modern women's movement. Abzug fought for racial and social justice, equal wages, childcare, peace, the environment, and more from her childhood as the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants in the Bronx, through her work as student council president at Hunter College, to her graduation from Columbia Law School, and continuing with her efforts to defend celebrities accused of being un-American or communists. Abzug was the second Jewish woman to be elected to Congress, and she was the first elected on a women's rights platform. Inspired by the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing of the world, Abzug was confident, outspoken, and ambitious, and was never afraid to speak her truth, despite public criticism and controversy. The colorful pencil and crayon illustrations depict her in her signature red and wearing a hat, and perfectly capture her larger-than-life personality. The text is cleverly placed within the drawings, and the font varies in type, size, and color to emphasize key phrases and ideas. A detailed author's note, time line, and bibliography are appended along with archival photographs. As Aronson concludes, Abzug "didn't get everything she fought for, but she got the battle started. So your voices could be heard." VERDICT This first children's book about an important trailblazer "abzuglutely" belongs on the shelf of every library alongside other portraits of leading Jewish women, such as I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy, Goldie Takes a Stand!: Golda Meir's First Crusade by Barbara Krasner, and Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty by Linda Glaser.-Rachel Kamin
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2024
This picture-book biography follows Bella Abzug (1920-1998), "the first woman elected to Congress on a women's rights platform," from her childhood defying gender roles at home, in the streets, and in her synagogue; through her career in law, activism, and politics. Aronson describes her personality, her accomplishments, and her brazenness. The layout of D'Aquino's child-friendly illustrations and occasional handwritten phrases brings the words to life and makes Abzug's impact tangible. The text is woven effectively into the illustrations, and the signature wide-brimmed red hats worn by "Battling Bella" make her figure jump out on every page. Issues such as sexism, war, prejudice, gay rights, and disability rights are discussed directly. Abzug's political losses are highlighted without showing those losses to be failures. The book ends with an inspirational call to action for readers in the twenty-first century to help fulfill Abzug's vision. An extensive author's note and a timeline provide further historical context; also appended with a selected bibliography.
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)