heykellyjensen's review against another edition
This is a pretty comprehensive biography of Hillary, and while it covers ups and downs of her career quite well, the book is undermined by incessant references to her appearance and clothing choices. It's bizarre. For a book purporting to highlight the achievements of a powerful woman, it still talks about her clothing way too much. There's little discussion of sexism or the role of institutional sexism in her career...and Levinson plays right into it with the notes on her appearance.
The ending is left open and the pacing in the latter third of the book feels rushed....when there's perhaps the most to dig into. There is a timeline and references sections for backmatter, which are nice; the side bars were well used and integrated into the text.
Writing-wise, it's serviceable.
The ending is left open and the pacing in the latter third of the book feels rushed....when there's perhaps the most to dig into. There is a timeline and references sections for backmatter, which are nice; the side bars were well used and integrated into the text.
Writing-wise, it's serviceable.
erine's review against another edition
4.0
A well-written, engaging narrative that opens a window on Clinton's backstory. Written by a college classmate, this strikes a positive tone, but still addresses the flaws and failures of one of the most powerful and recognized women in American history. The author portrays a complex human, and offers context to balance out years of scandal. It is all too easy to forget that a single person really cannot be reduced to a single moment in their life, and here the pattern of public service emerges as a strong theme, alongside a propensity to seek connection: with her constituents, with her opponents, with the American people.
hungrylindsay's review against another edition
4.0
It's important to note that this is a middle grade book.
The content was pretty good. I felt it was thorough enough about Clinton's early life but rushed through the last few years.I was annoyed by the constant exposition, but it's my fault for not realizing that I had checked out a children's book from the library. (I bumped it up a star because it's not the book's fault that I didn't pay attention.)
The content was pretty good. I felt it was thorough enough about Clinton's early life but rushed through the last few years.I was annoyed by the constant exposition, but it's my fault for not realizing that I had checked out a children's book from the library. (I bumped it up a star because it's not the book's fault that I didn't pay attention.)
amandalee0429's review against another edition
4.0
Great biography for young readers on an amazing woman and important political and historical figure of our time.
kellyhager's review
3.0
The first thing you should know about this is that it's very pro-Hillary Clinton. (As a liberal, this doesn't bother me at all, but if you are looking for a neutral portrait, this is not for you.)
I enjoyed this and there were a lot of things about Hillary I didn't know. (Like basically anything about her childhood.) Also, I was 12 when Bill Clinton was elected president and I didn't really develop a political interest until I was older, so I was really only dimly aware of her as first lady until his second term.
It's funny now the controversy that she caused for doing things like wanting to work and be the first lady of Arkansas and for not taking her husband's last name. (And honestly, I want to give her a high five for both those things---although now, of course, she's Hillary Clinton and not Hillary Rodham. And there's nothing wrong with compromise, so a high five for that, too.)
I haven't decided who I'm voting for for president, but this book made me like Hillary more than I did before. (And honestly, I liked her before.)
If you like badass women who get shit done, read this book. (Note: it's written for young adult audiences.)
I enjoyed this and there were a lot of things about Hillary I didn't know. (Like basically anything about her childhood.) Also, I was 12 when Bill Clinton was elected president and I didn't really develop a political interest until I was older, so I was really only dimly aware of her as first lady until his second term.
It's funny now the controversy that she caused for doing things like wanting to work and be the first lady of Arkansas and for not taking her husband's last name. (And honestly, I want to give her a high five for both those things---although now, of course, she's Hillary Clinton and not Hillary Rodham. And there's nothing wrong with compromise, so a high five for that, too.)
I haven't decided who I'm voting for for president, but this book made me like Hillary more than I did before. (And honestly, I liked her before.)
If you like badass women who get shit done, read this book. (Note: it's written for young adult audiences.)
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