She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor
She Persisted Series
What’s inside...
The book tells the story of Sonia Sotomayor, who faced various obstacles throughout her life, including a diabetes diagnosis at a young age and the challenges of growing up in a low-income family. Despite these hardships, she excelled academically and went on to attend Princeton University and Yale Law School. Her hard work and determination led her to become the first Latina to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, where she continues to inspire and impact the nation. Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger comes a chapter book series about women who stood up, spoke up and rose up against the odds! In this chapter book biography by Meg Medina, the award-winning author of Merci Suarez Changes Gears and Mango, Abuela, and Me, readers learn about the amazing life of Sonia Sotomayor--and how she persisted. Sonia Sotomayor is the first Latina Supreme Court Justice in the history of the United States, but her road there wasn't easy. She overcame many challenges along the way, including a diagnosis of diabetes at age seven. But she didn't let that stop her from achieving her dream and inspiring children all over the world to work hard and believe in themselves. Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton! Praise for She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor Engaging and accessible . . . The compelling story of an inspirational role model.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-9
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Sonia Sotomayor felt when she faced challenges? What can we learn from her persistence?
What qualities do you admire about Sonia Sotomayor, and why?
How did Sonia’s background and experiences shape her choices and achievements?
What obstacles did Sonia overcome to reach her goals, and how does that inspire you?
If you were in a difficult situation like Sonia, what would you do to persevere?
Tip: Role play these questions
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by asking them about times they have faced challenges and how they dealt with them.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and setting goals, using Sonia Sotomayor's life as an example.
Encourage your child to talk about the character traits they admire in Sonia and explore ways they can develop those traits themselves.
Use examples from the book to discuss broader themes of justice and equality, asking your child why these principles are important.
Highlight the significance of education and hard work as demonstrated in Sonia’s story, and relate them to your child’s own school life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The book portrays Sonia Sotomayor overcoming various challenges, including her diagnosis with diabetes and the hurdles she faced in her educational journey due to her background.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that obstacles are part of life and can be overcome with determination and perseverance. This can help them tackle their own challenges, such as difficulties in school or personal issues.
Example Lesson: Importance of education
Explanation: Sotomayor’s story emphasizes her dedication to her studies and how her educational achievements played a crucial role in reaching her goals.
Real-World Application: This instills the value of education in young readers, encouraging them to focus on their studies and recognize the long-term benefits of being educated.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding diversity
Explanation: Through her experiences and background, Sotomayor shows an understanding of diverse cultures and lifestyles, which played a significant role in her career and judgments.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect different cultures and backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and empathy in their interactions with others.
Example Lesson: The power of self-belief
Explanation: Despite many external doubts, Sotomayor believed in her own abilities and potential, which guided her to achieve her dreams and become a Supreme Court Justice.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to trust in their own skills and instincts, which can boost their confidence when faced with skepticism or criticism from others.