Sonia Sotomayor: Biographies for young readers on the #Road2Reading (ages 8-10)

Our students like learning about important people in the world, and yet biographies can be challenging for developing readers. I'd like to share three biographies about Sonia Sotomayor that are written for developing readers--especially those in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades. It is important to encourage our young students to practice reading biographies, understanding the whole story of someone's life.

This post is part of the #Road2Reading Challenge, sponsored by Alyson Beecher (KidLitFrenzy) and Michele Knot (Mrs. Knott's Book Nook). Every Tuesday, these two fabulous educators focus on books for developing readers.

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows Up in the Bronx
by Jonah Winter
illustrated by Edel Rodriguez
Atheneum / Simon & Schuster, 2009
Amazon / Your local library
ages 6-9

I especially like reading aloud a picture book biography with students, using it to build background knowledge for students, helping them create a sense of the person before they begin reading a longer biography. Winter provides a vibrant, upbeat portrait of Sotomayor in this picture book biography of Sonia Sotomayor.

"Sonia's blossoming began with her mother's love and hard work."

 Edel Rodriguez' warm illustrations draw students in, helping them connect with Sonia as a real person. Winter's energetic writing helps convey Sotomayor's perseverance and hard work.

"By the time she graduated high school, she had won an award for being the very best student in her whole school. What an honor! You can't imagine how proud her mother was. This was her daughter, her Sonia!"

Winter helps readers get a sense of Sotomayor's strength of character, but he does not provide many details about her work as a judge. For a fuller understanding, I would encourage students to read a longer biography.

Who Is Sonia Sotomayor
by Megan Stine
Who Was series
illustrated by Dede Putra and Nancy Harrison
Grosset & Dunlap / Penguin, 2017
Amazon / Your local library
ages 8-10

The "Who Was" series is very popular with my 3rd grade students because they combine clear writing with a longer chapter-book format. I especially like the way Who Is Sonia Sotomayor draws readers in right away with a pivotal moment in her life:

"Sonia Sotomayor was in her office, sitting beside her phone. She was waiting for the most important call of her life. A call from the White House! She would learn whether President Barack Obama wanted her to be a judge on the Supreme Court."

Short sentences make this easy for developing readers to understand. After setting the stage for why Sonia Sotomayor is important, the next three chapters cover Sonia's childhood and education, how she struggled with her family's grief after the death of her father, how books like Nancy Drew inspired her to become a detective. Further chapters look at Sonia's early cases, becoming a US district court judge, and finally becoming a Supreme Court justice.

This series works best for readers who have the stamina to read a chapter book with ten chapters. Even though 2nd graders may be able read each word, they typically don't find these interesting enough to sustain their interest. For younger readers, I'd recommend the National Geographic readers series.

Sonia Sotomayor
National Geographic Reader, Level 3
by Barbara Kramer
National Geographic, 2106
Amazon / Your local library
ages 7-9

This National Geographic reader works well for 2nd and 3rd graders who are ready to absorb a lot of information, but want a shorter book they can read in two or three sittings. Bright color photographs, captions and boxes add to the high interest. Here is the first page:

"In August 2009, Sonia Sotomayor became a Supreme Court justice. It is a special job."

This National Geographic Reader presents the information in a clear manner, using shorter sentences and defining terms for young readers. In describing Sotomayor's first job as a lawyer, Kramer writes:

"Sotomayor's first job as a lawyer was in New York City. She worked in the office of the district attorney (uh-TURN-ee). Police arrest people whom they believe have committed crimes. It was Sotomayor's job to prove in a court of law that those people were guilty."

This National Geographic Reader is 48 pages long, about half of the length of the Who Is book. Every page has a photograph, and several pages also have "Words to Know" boxes or diagrams. I especially like this biography of Sonia Sotomayor.

What are some of your favorite biographies for developing readers? I'd love to hear about them in the comments. Please also check out other posts in the Road2Reading Challenge: KidLitFrenzy and Mrs. Knott's Book Nook.

The review copies came from our school library and the public library. If you make a purchase using the Amazon links on this site, a small portion goes to Great Kid Books. Thank you for your support.

©2017 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books