(2) YA Conkling (Radioactive!, rev. 3/16; Votes for Women!, rev. 3/18) opens this insightful biography of the feminist icon with a close call. In 1956, when she was twenty-two, Steinem called off wedding plans, feeling she wasn't ready for "a little death" (i.e., marriage). Conkling posits: "If Steinem had chosen to marry Chotzinoff, she may never have changed the world the way she did. By breaking with traditional expectations, Steinem was able to realize her dreams and redefine what it meant to be a twentieth-century feminist." Conkling takes readers through her subject's upbringing in a loving but unstable household; her early career as a freelance writer and journalist; her embrace of feminism in the late 1960s (initially she had considered herself "a humanist rather than a feminist"); and her emergence as a leading voice in the second wave of American feminism. The chronological narrative highlights through-lines in Steinem's story, including her commitment to social justice, equality, and intersectionality (long before the concept had a name). Gen Z readers will come away with a deeper appreciation for how much has changed for women during Steinem's lifetime and how much of that change was forged by Steinem herself. Extensive back matter includes timelines of Steinem's life and of feminism in America, a "Who's Who" list, source notes, and a bibliography. Photographs and index not seen.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Daria Peoples-Riley. This illustrated biography of Steinem provides a brief overview of her lifelong interest in personal freedom and her role in the women's liberation movement. Rinker deftly highlights Steinem's main agenda without overwhelming young readers with too much detail and background. The ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations capture the essence of Steinem's time and place in the world. Author's and illustrator's notes appended. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Author-illustrator Lewis's debut picture book is more an affectionate snapshot of the feminist than it is a substantive first biography. Still, the text conveys the gist of Steinem's early inspirations ("Gloria's mama has to stay home and take care of their family... Gloria thinks this is very unfair"), her involvement in women's liberation, and her founding of Ms. magazine. Stylish mixed-media illustrations evoke a 1960s aesthetic. Reading list.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA This lucid biography of Ms. magazine's cofounder discusses the personal trials (her money-strapped Ohio childhood, her mother's mental illness) and turning points (working with India's Gandhians, enduring sexism within left-leaning social movements) that inspired Steinem's lifelong commitment to social justice. Black-and-white photos of uneven quality are scattered throughout. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram