The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall's Life, Leadership, and Legacy - by Kekla Magoon (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Growing up in Baltimore, Thurgood Marshall could see that things weren't fair. The laws said that Blacks and white people couldn't use the same schools, parks, or water fountains. When Thurgood had to read the Constitution as punishment for a prank at school, his eyes were opened. It was clear to him that Jim Crow laws were wrong, and he was willing to do whatever it took to change them. His determination to make sure all Americans were treated equally led him to law school and then the NAACP, where he argued cases like Brown v. Board of Education in front of the Supreme Court. But to become a justice on the highest court in the land, Thurgood had to make space for himself every step of the way."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A brilliant picture book biography about Thurgood Marshall, who fought for equality during the Civil Rights Movement and served as the first Black justice on the Supreme Court, from Coretta Scott King Honor winners Kekla Magoon and Laura Freeman.

Growing up in Baltimore, Thurgood Marshall could see that things weren't fair. The laws said that Black and white people couldn't use the same schools, parks, or water fountains.

When Thurgood had to read the Constitution as punishment for a prank at school, his eyes were opened. It was clear to him that Jim Crow laws were wrong, and he was willing to do whatever it took to change them.

His determination to make sure all Americans were treated equally led him to law school and then the NAACP, where he argued cases like Brown v. Board of Education in front of the Supreme Court. But to become a Justice on the highest court in the land, Thurgood had to make space for himself every step of the way.

Readers will be inspired by Kekla Magoon's concise text and Laura Freeman's luminous illustrations, which bring Thurgood Marshall's incredible legacy and achievements to life.

* An SLJ Best Book of the Year * A Bank Street Best Book of the Year * A Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalist * A Texas Topaz Nonfiction Selection * Wisconsin State Reading Association's 2022 Picture This Recommendation List * Indiana Authors Award Shortlist *

Review Quotes

"A handsome, well-organized account of Marshall's life and work." - Booklist
"The crystal-clear and accessible text, focusing on essential cases in the career of "Mr. Civil Rights," does justice to the Justice." - Horn Book (starred review)
"An appealing read about a Black figure who had a large and lasting impact on U.S. law." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Will serve to empower children who feel as powerless as Thurgood Marshall once felt." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Short, straight-to-the-facts sentences, accessible to newly independent readers, are equally effective for group readalouds, and the stately cadence of the narration is matched by Freeman's digital artwork." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books