When Ruth Bader Ginsburg Chewed 100 Sticks of Gum

by Mark Weakland, Daniela Volpari (Illustrator)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second woman justice to serve on the Supreme Court. But do you know what she was like as a child? Strong role models and encouragement to be herself led Ruth to speak her mind and to stand up for equality. This playful story of her childhood will help young readers connect with a historic figure and will inspire them to want to achieve greatness.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction

32 pages, Library Binding

Published August 1, 2018

About the author

While earning a degree in the sciences, author/educator/musician Mark Weakland played drums and percussion with scores of Pittsburgh-based bands. He then went on to earn multiple teacher certifications and a master’s degree in education.

Mark expresses his creative side through music and writing. He is the author of eighteen non-fiction children’s books. Upcoming books, written as collaborations between Warner Brothers, Sports Illustrated Kids, and Capstone Press, include a set of Scooby-Doo (and mathematics) books, a set of Wile E. Coyote (and physics) books, and a set of hockey (shapes and patterns) books.

Other kid projects include an award-winning audio book, a poetry collection, and Jack Attack, his first YA novel. Mark’s books have received outstanding reviews from Booklist and Library Media Connection and won multiple awards, such as the 2012 Green Award for Sustainable Children’s Literature and the 2011 Eureka Nonfiction Children’s Book Award.

His academic book for teachers and administrators, Super Core! Supercharging Your Basal Reading Program with More Reading, Writing, and Word Work, will be published by the International Reading Association in January of 2014.

As a musician and songwriter, Mark has written and recorded music for both kids and grown-ups. His songs have won Parents' Choice and Children's Web awards and finished as finalists in The John Lennon Songwriting and USA Songwriting contests. Performing on drums, guitar, and vocals, Mark still records and plays with various artists and bands in Western Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Pitrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bradley review: I like it

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best biography, this one is super short. The title refers to a wartime incident when kids collected foil for the war effort. This brief biography begins with RBG being sworn in as a Supreme Court justice and goes back to her birth and early years. The story concludes with her mother's death. There is an afterward briefly detailing college, marriage and career, I do like the critical thinking questions for classroom use. This biography is really for the very young though.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow was this book good. The title was a bit of a come on- but at the same time it taught me something I didn’t know. I loved everything about this title and hope it gets put in the hand of lots of kids. Plus, I think it does a better job of telling Ruth’s story than the Little People big World books.

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting more. First, more content. It ended so abruptly with RBG graduating from college and then an "afterward." Yup, that's how it was spelled...🤔 Second, the text didn't flow well. (I didn't even remember it was Capstone Press until I got to the endpages, so this is not my bias talking!) I wonder if there is a better biography of her for the younger crowd?

[Claire Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected. Instead of focusing on the gum like the title suggests, this book was an early biography of RBG before she became a Supreme Court Justice. It mentions the gum on a single spread. Overall, it was very cute and could be included in a biography display or a powerful women display or used in Women’s History Month.

[Posadafan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming book! I'm well into adulthood, and learned a thing or two. Great illustrations. Loved knowing how RBG's past influenced her adulthood so profoundly. She's an amazing person. I know this is a simple review, but I don't have time to think it all out...just...READ THIS BOOK!

[Sdz123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable and well written biography that will keep your middle schooler interest.

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations and a great introduction to RBG and her earlier years for younger readers.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun little picture book that focuses on Ruth's life as kid.

[Jnase1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great little biography of RBG for younger students to read.

[Jenni Heins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography for young children. And part of a series with other famous people and their stories. Great job, Capstone Press!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful biography!

[Norkett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable story, the gum bit was just an interesting fact along the way. The story of her and all the struggles faced during her life for her to overcome was well worth the read!

[JOCELYN BARRERA]

Please let me read this book like right now.