Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inspirational female role models handpicked by RBG.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In 2019, author Nadine Epstein broached a conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the months before the elderly judge passed away. The result of this conversation is the basis of RBG'S BRAVE AND BRILLIANT WOMEN: 33 JEWISH WOMEN TO INSPIRE EVERYONE. Judge Ginsburg (also known as RBG) broke many barriers in her lifetime and helped shape laws allowing women to own property, not be subordinate to men by law, and have their own bank accounts. She shares in the foreward of this book that she didn't have "role models," but she did admire a number of inspirational women throughout history. The tales of these women and the ways they have contributed to the world are recounted in this book.
Is It Any Good?
Fascinating in its breadth and depth, this historical picture book explores the contributions of known and unknown Jewish female heroes. RBG's Brave and Brilliant Women: 33 Jewish Women to Inspire Everyone, begins in ancient times with a prophet and matriarch from the Old Testament and spans the ages to mention the first Jewish female astronaut. History books have overlooked many of these women whose acheivements shaped the world as we know it -- including groundbreaking social activists, mathemeticians, musicians, and physicists whose influence were left out of history books. But RBG remembered, and she pushed to have these stories told.
The women in this book are Jewish, and those not familiar with Jewish customs might get their first taste of traditions in this book. But the themes of perseverance, courage, and breaking barriers is universal. It's an accomplished woman's list of her own role models, those who faced similar obstacles and discrimination as she did. She drew from their strength, and thought them inportant enough to pass on their accomplishments, as told in this book, as part of her legacy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about bigotry and discrimination in RBG's Brave and Brilliant Women: 33 Jewish Women to Inspire Everyone. We might call them bullies and haters now, but what's different about the social challenges that these women faced and what kids face now?
RBG and the women in this book share a the trait of perseverance. When is it important to persevere? When is it OK to give up?
Many women in this book traveled, published, and communicated without cell phones or computers. How did they accomplish so much?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : Biography
- Topics : Activism , Arts , Book Characters , Friendship , History
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : September 21, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 12
- Number of pages : 224
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate