No One Told Sandra Day O’Connor What to Do: The First Woman to Serve on the United States Supreme Court

Gr 3-5–Sandra Day O’Connor grew up on an Arizona ranch in the 1930s, riding with cowboys and doing chores. Later, she went to college, knowing it wasn’t just for men. But after she became a lawyer, no one wanted to hire a woman. She teamed up with another lawyer and started her own law office, and later she worked on the Arizona State Senate, helping make laws more just. President Reagan appointed her as the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. The story is told dynamically, with enough context to appreciate O’Connor’s contributions to women’s rights as a white female judge, while keeping the story personal and engaging. The illustrations progress with the time period of the story, with the 1920s and 1930s illustrated in a vintage, classic children’s storybook style, and the 1950s with collage elements. The variety of styles and mediums add visual interest.