Written by Christina Soontornvat, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Senator Tammy Duckworth has an amazing life story, told by award-winning author Christina Soontornvat in a new picture book. Tammy was born in Thailand but grew up traveling all over Southeast Asia with her family. Her father was a US citizen who worked with refugee families fleeing violence. Her family moved to Hawaii when she was 9, but fell on hard times and relied on food stamps and free school lunch. Tammy even sold flowers by the road side to help support her family. She also worked hard in school, eventually making it to college. It was there she joined the ROTC and trained to fly a Black Hawk helicopter for the military. After being deployed to Iraq, the helicopter Tammy flew was shot down on 11/12/04. When Tammy woke up, she realized her life would never be the same – she had lost part of both legs and some use of her right arm. Pushing through unbearable pain, Tammy fought to regain her life back. She also became a dedicated advocate for veterans and eventually won a seat in the US Senate in 2016, where she continues to fight for the causes she believes in.
This is an inspiring story that would be great for discussions about perseverance, Veteran’s Day, refugees/immigration, women’s history, and disability rights. The author and illustrator do a fantastic job of bringing Tammy’s story to life and help show the relevance of her experiences every step of the way. A time line at the back is also helpful, along with a “Legacy of Service” page showing all of Tammy’s accomplishments in the Senate.Reviewed by Andrea LeBaron, Librarian, Upland Terrace Elementary
Review shared in February 2023
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 3-6
A Life of Service : The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth
Written by Christina Soontornvat, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Candlewick Press
48 pages
Release Date: September 27, 2022
ISBN: 9781536222050
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
