The Dream & the Hope: The Historic Rise of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Nation's Highest Court

This powerful biography follows Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's road to the Supreme Court as the first Black woman to be confirmed, for middle grade readers from New York Times bestselling author Garen Thomas and The Washington Post reporter Lori Rozsa. This inspiring story features key childhood moments and all those who influenced and encouraged her along the way.

Before becoming the first black woman on the Supreme Court Ketanji Brown Jackson was a bright and happy kid with big dreams and determination. Guided by her parents, whose own stories influenced her, and who helped her navigate the obstacles she might face as a Black child, Ketanji's spirit, drive, and belief in herself blossomed. She was popular in school and excelled in academics, debate, and theater, but it wasn't always smooth sailing. Over the decades, she'd run up against a backdrop of people and Supreme Court rulings that sometimes opened doors for her . . . and sometimes shut them. By remaining true to herself and fighting for what's right, Ketanji became an inspiration to children everywhere, accomplishing her lifelong goals and ascending to the nation's highest court, where she now helps decide the direction of our country.

From New York Times bestselling author Garen Thomas and Washington Post reporter Lori Rozsa comes this empowering biography that proves that with perseverance, dreams can come true!

Lori Rozsa is a reporter for the Washington Post based in Florida. She is also a former staff correspondent for People magazine, and was part of a Pulitzer Prize winning team at the Miami Herald.

Garen Thomas worked as an editor in children's book publishing for more than a decade, editing numerous notable children's picture books and novels, including Carole Boston Weatherford's Caldecott Honor Book Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, illustrated by Kadir Nelson; Nelson's We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball; and the Coretta Scott King Award-winning novel Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue, by Julius Lester. She continues to act as a consultant and children's books editor on a freelance basis while working on her own writing and film projects. She holds an A.B. from Harvard University.