5 stars
What a phenomenal read. Whether familiar with Mankiller’s work or not, this is a great starting point for young readers to learn more about her activism within the Cherokee Nation and beyond. Loved the emphasis on hard work, helping others, and persisting in following your dreams and achieving your goals.
Even in its small package, this short biography packs in so much information. It includes information about Mankiller’s early life, her activism, obstacles she overcame, and her impact. It also touches on difficult themes such as poverty, physical illness, divorce, and gender bias.
Traci Sorell was the perfect author to tell Mankiller’s story and she does so absolutely wonderfully.
At the end of the book, Sorell lists ways the reader can persist like Wilma Mankiller such as continuing to learn about Native Nations, helping in your community, and creating stories.
This is the first I’ve read in the She Persisted chapter books and I’m already hooked. Looking forward to picking up another one soon.