Published by HarperCollins

Summary:  In 2018, Sharice Davids became one of the first two Native American women in Congress.  From a young age, Sharice loved to talk and used her big voice to make friends when her single mother’s army career forced them to move several times.  She worked hard to get through college and law school and to pursue a passion for martial arts.  Her law degree led her to a South Dakota reservation, where she helped people start small businesses, and eventually to a career at the White House.  In Washington, she noticed that there weren’t a lot of people who looked like her, and decided to try to change that by running for Congress.  Her victory made her not only one of the first Native women in Congress, but also the first LGBTQ Native American there.  Includes an author’s note, an illustrator’s note, and additional information about Davids’ Ho-Chunk tribe.  40 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  The chatty, informal tone of the writing makes Sharice seem like an old friend, and like pursuing your dreams is a real possibility.  I loved the art for this book, created by Ojibwe Woodland artist Pawis-Steckley. I want to mention that this is the third book I’ve reviewed in the last week that’s by a Native American author with Native main characters. Things sure have changed since I started this blog in 2015, and it’s about time.

Cons:  I wish there were more photos with the author’s note.  I think the one there is of Sharice with her mom, but it wasn’t labeled, so I’m not sure.

Published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons

Summary:  Growing up, MaVynee Betsch loved the beach, but because she was Black, she was restricted by the “Colored Only” signs.  Her grandfather, Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Florida’s first African-American millionaire, bought a beach that he called American Beach.  It was open to everyone, and was visited by celebrities like Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington.  MaVynee grew up to become an opera singer, finding success across Europe.  When her mother became sick, MaVynee came home to take care of her and never returned to opera.  After her mother died, MaVynee became an activist, determined to save American Beach from developers.  It took years of protest, but in 2001, the beach was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  MaVynee, or the Beach Lady as she was known, passed away in 2005.  Includes notes from the author and illustrator.  40 pages; grades K-5.

Pros:  In the author’s note, Heidi Tyline King writes that operas often feature an aria, “a profoundly sad and emotional solo where the singer turns sorrow into something beautiful”.  MaVynee Betsch’s story is like that; she seems to have felt profound sadness in many areas of her life, but her single-minded determination ultimately met with success in saving her beloved beach.  Caldecott honoree Ekua Holmes’s beautiful collage illustrations enhance the story with their vibrant colors and patterns.

Cons:  I was sorry there were no photos of the Beach Lady or her beach.