Wilma Mankiller

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

The world is full of interesting and accomplished people. All of them were once children as this author knows very well. Ms. Sanchez Vegara has authored many interesting short books about young people with big dreams. This newest entry tells the story of Wilma Mankiller, a well known Native American.

Young readers will watch as Wilma grows from a young girl to an activist and then to her election as, the first female, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. The story notes some difficult times in American history including the forced relocation of the Trail of Tears. There was also a move that Wilma’s own family made when she was young. She left her land and go to San Francisco. She returned to Oklahoma many years later.

Wilma became a wife and mother (she, herself was one of many children). She also became dedicated to her cause.

Through Wilma, young readers are given an example of the importance of fighting for the things in which a person believes. Is there a better message for these days?

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 02 August 2022