by Kekla Magoon
First published 2023
Ketanji Brown Jackson sits in her high school guidance counselor's office, hearing she should lower her expectations about Harvard. She decides to prove him wrong by attending Harvard for both college and law school. As a public defender, Ketanji witnesses how the justice system fails people who cannot afford lawyers. She fights for clients others overlook, using her legal training to help those most in need. Her background sets her apart from other judges. She attended public schools while many of her peers went to private institutions. She defended accused criminals while others prosecuted them. Each experience shapes her understanding of justice and fairness. Ketanji faces doubt and discrimination throughout her career, but she stays true to her values. Her unique path leads her to make history as the first Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court. This biography shows how persistence and authenticity can overcome obstacles that seem impossible to surmount.
Genres: biography, african-american, 21st-century, legal-thriller, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: overcoming-obstacles, underdog
Setting: Harvard, United States
Period: 21st-century
40 pages · Hardcover · Quill Tree Books