Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

A big personality with a voice to match, Sharice listens to her heart to find her own path.In this autobiographical account, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davis shows how she's always liked to talk and ask questions. She learned early that "good conversation can make people happy" and that "the best way to learn about people is to listen to them." When Sharice's mother told her that they were members of the Ho-Chunk nation, who call themselves "People of the Big Voice," she knew she was on the right path. Sharice wanted to follow in her Army sergeant mother's footsteps and be "a person who serves others," so she worked hard at everything she did, excelling at customer service and perfecting martial arts training. Eventually this led her to law school and then to work with Native American tribes. "That's when," she tells readers, "I had a bold, brave idea that would need my big voice, my ability to listen, and my ability to take a punch." Deciding that government needed many different voices, she ran for Congress and won the election, becoming one of the first Native women in Congress and the first lesbian to represent Kansas. Rich, vivid illustrations by Ojibwe Woodland artist Pawis-Steckley are delivered in a graphic style that honors Indigenous people. The bold artwork adds impact to the compelling text. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Demonstrates that everyone's voice matters and needs to be heard. Powerful stuff! (author's note, illustrator's note, cultural note) (Picture book/memoir. 5-10)

ALA Booklist (Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

This autobiography introduces U.S. Representative Sharice Davids, who was among the first Indigenous women elected to Congress. Raised by her single-parent military mom, Davids emphasizes her love of conversation (and how she learned to listen as well as speak), her membership in the Ho-Chunk Nation (a group known as People of the Big Voice, whose principle of working hard to achieve a goal has influenced her), and her career as a mixed-martial-arts competitor prior to having jobs in law and politics. The text is brief, focused, and age appropriate, allowing Ojibwe artist Pawis-Steckley's work to shine. The digital illustrations, done in the Woodland artists style, feature heavily outlined characters, bright colors (particularly reds and blues), and intricately stylized pattern work that includes plants, animals, and spiritual elements. Of particular note is his use of speech balloons, often containing multiple connected bubbles, that convey additional information. Appended with author and illustrator notes and additional details about the Ho-Chunk language, clan system, history, and warrior tradition, this makes a welcome addition to picture-book biography shelves.

Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

With Nancy K. Mays. One of the first Native women elected to Congress ("and the first lesbian representative from Kansas"), Davids tells her story in this affecting picture-book autobiography, which touches on generational trauma caused by the US government. Talking and listening (and a love for Bruce Lee and mixed martial arts!) help Davids in her quest to bring Native voices to Washington, DC. The stylized digital illustrations convey strength and pride in Davids's accomplishments and in Native identities. In addition to appended author and artist notes, a former president of the Ho-Chunk Nation writes powerfully about the Nation's perseverance and about its history from the 1800s to the present day.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A big personality with a voice to match, Sharice listens to her heart to find her own path.In this autobiographical account, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davis shows how she's always liked to talk and ask questions. She learned early that "good conversation can make people happy" and that "the best way to learn about people is to listen to them." When Sharice's mother told her that they were members of the Ho-Chunk nation, who call themselves "People of the Big Voice," she knew she was on the right path. Sharice wanted to follow in her Army sergeant mother's footsteps and be "a person who serves others," so she worked hard at everything she did, excelling at customer service and perfecting martial arts training. Eventually this led her to law school and then to work with Native American tribes. "That's when," she tells readers, "I had a bold, brave idea that would need my big voice, my ability to listen, and my ability to take a punch." Deciding that government needed many different voices, she ran for Congress and won the election, becoming one of the first Native women in Congress and the first lesbian to represent Kansas. Rich, vivid illustrations by Ojibwe Woodland artist Pawis-Steckley are delivered in a graphic style that honors Indigenous people. The bold artwork adds impact to the compelling text. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Demonstrates that everyone's voice matters and needs to be heard. Powerful stuff! (author's note, illustrator's note, cultural note) (Picture book/memoir. 5-10)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In this autobiographical picture book, Davids (who is Ho-Chunk), -one of the first Native women in U.S. Congress,- outlines her history-making path, beginning with her love of speaking. With Mays, she continues conversationally, relaying how frequent moves taught her that talking breaks down barriers and listening taught her to help others, and how a post-law school job advocating for Native American tribes led her to launch a run for Congress. The prose is reminiscent of an inspirational speech (-Everyone-s path looks different-), with a message of service that includes fun biographical facts, such as her love of Bruce Lee. Pawis-Steckley (who is Ojibwe Woodland) contributes boldly lined and colored digital illustrations, inflected with Native symbols and bold colors. A hopeful and accessible picture book profile. Back matter includes author-s and artist-s notes. Ages 4-8. (June)

School Library Journal (Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

K-Gr 3 In a true story of determination, perseverance, and using her voice to help others, Davids shares her life growing up in Kansas as a member of the Ho-Chunk tribe. She seamlessly describes events of her childhood and her journey to become the first Indigenous woman to serve in Congress. The smaller text carries the meat of the story, while larger text in bold offers some of the highlights. The illustrations are bold and lend to the impact of the story as a whole. This title is perfect for libraries looking to add more diverse books to their biographical collections, especially those needing more gender representation, Indigenous topics, or books on LGBTQIA+ issues. VERDICT A book with multiple areas of use, this may serve as inspiration for others learning how to use their big voices. Erica Koop, High Meadows Branch Lib., Houston , TX