Dissenter on the Bench: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Life and Work by Victoria Ortiz
Published by Clarion Books on June 4th 2019
ISBN: 054497364X
Pages: 199
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More than a biography, this in-depth look at Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg parallels the events of her life that have led to the decisions she has made in several high-profile court cases.  Each chapter features a case that came before her, like Cincinnatian Jim Oberfefell’s fight to collect spousal benefits after the death of his partner. Ruth and her husband Marty understood well how essential it was to balance roles within a marriage, regardless of societal norms.  Ruth and Marty were married while still in college and found time to attend to their young daughter’s needs while both working full-time as law professors. The idea that all the nurturing and domestic care would fall on Ruth’s shoulders simply because she was a woman was ludicrous to them both, just as the idea that a loving spouse of twenty years could be told his future financial security was invalidated because he chose to love a person of the same gender.  Throughout her entire career RBG has fought against injustice even at a time and place in history when her opinions were unpopular. Black and white photos throughout the book truly humanize the participants of the court cases as well as offer private glimpes into the Ginsburgs’ life. While the cover is exciting and bright to appeal to middle school readers, the text and depth of this work is too sophisticated for early teens. This is an excellent addition to every high school biography collection. 

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook