A subject that deserves a better book. It's about Wilma Mankiller, the Cherokee activist who ended up being their chief, inspiring medical centres, schools and cultural places like there was no tomorrow, until there was no tomorrow, and she died too young from pancreatic cancer. Her life story is here, but it's clumsily conveyed – the main core of the text also added to by captions to pictures, by larger box-outs regarding certain issues and by small factoids alike, and any attempt at getting the pure, chronological telling is bound to be clumsy as a result. Reading all the large box-outs at the end? You'll miss out on a vital detail of a family move that inspires her activism. Struggling to juggle project, husband that came about from project, and film of project directed by husband that came about from project? You won't be alone.

Oh, and why do the wonderful photos of this great lady near the end only ever show her in the one dress? It doesn't look very Cherokee, it certainly doesn't look very flattering and it looks daft to dump one gallery and one dress all over the book, however short it may be.

No, I think the subject deserved more respect and the reader more linearity. A wasted opportunity – two and a half stars.

As part of the Famous Native American series, Wilma Mankiller's life is covered from the early influences on the development of her activism to her role and success as chief of the Cherokee Nation. Her strength, fortitude and determination brought improvement to her people and garnered her accolades such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom and being one of the American women honored through the American Women Quarters Program. The information is organized well and offers interesting Fast Facts, a global timeline, questions for personal/group discussion and directions to sources to discover more about Wilma Mankiller. I will be recommending this book for library purchase.

Thanks to Cavendish Square Publishing, Jennifer Lombardo and NetGalley for this ARC.

I thought that this book was great and it is a wonderful introduction to Wilma Mankiller, her strength of character and what she achieved.

Wilma is a fascinating character and as the book shows, even as a girl, she demonstrated her strength of character and determination to succeed in her goals. Wilma also promoted the welfare of other Native Americans and their health.

The book goes on to confirm that Wilma was actually elected the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998, and had a commemorative quarter issued in 2022 honoring her, all of which are fantastic and well deserved achievements.

The book has a great list of resources at the end to enable further reading as well as a great timeline on the events in her life and achievements. There are plenty of photos too in the book that bring Wilma's story to life.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

biography, photographs, social-justice, social-changes, social-activism, Cherokee Nation*****

This is a valuable tribute and teaching tool to celebrate the life and work of Wilma Mankiller.
Even as a girl, she demonstrated her strength of character and was shown to be undeterred from whatever goal she set. She did many things to promote the health and welfare of people who had been treated badly by the government and achieved high honors. She was elected the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998, and had a commemorative quarter issued in 2022 honoring her.
There is a timeline of her life/world events, a glossary, index, and some resources.
There are also copious photographs and info boxes throughout the book.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of ANY age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions provided by Rosen Publishing Group | Cavendish Square via NetGalley. Thank you!