Reviews

Wilma's Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller by Doreen Rappaport, Linda Kukuk

staciam's review against another edition

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4.0

I love how quotes from Wilma were incorporated throughout the story.

molly_dettmann's review against another edition

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4.0

Wow. This inspiring picture book biography had me rubbing something out of both of my eyes. I know about Mankiller, but didn’t really know the sacrifice and work she did to better the Cherokee Nation. I loved this. Only knocking it down a start because I wasn’t totally in love with the artwork as a whole.

mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition

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4.0

A fine children's picture book biography. Catches that right light between enough detail to be interesting and not too much detail so it is still readable. It gives a flavor of who Wilma Mankiller was and why she was important. The art was fine but didn't add much. The book probably could have been just a little bit longer, just a little bit more detailed.

k_b00kish's review against another edition

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4.0

Picture book suitable for older children (grades 2+) about Cherokee nation leader Wilma Mankiller. Good introduction for kids to Native/Indigenous culture and history. Could be useful for multicultural biography and history elementary school research assignments.

krismarley's review against another edition

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3.0

The book assumes you know who Wilma Mankiller was, and I didn't. I'm still not sure I do after reading.

sunflowerjess's review against another edition

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adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

What an incredible woman Wilma Mankiller was! This story is beautiful and inspiring. 

caitlink's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

claudiaswisher's review against another edition

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5.0

What a powerful story. What a powerful woman...such a part of this state and our history. The book is told in beautiful art and words that seem to be free verse poetry...but on every page, there is a quote from Mankiller...in her own words. This book tells the good and the not-so-good. The move from Oklahoma, being so lonely in San Francisco, her early marriage and her determination to learn. She was involved in the uprising in 1969 at Alcatraz. She continued to look for ways to connect with her heritage so far from Oklahoma. But she returned and we will never be able to measure her contributions...culminations as the Chief of Cherokee Nation. "Women can help turn the world right side up. We bring a more collaborative approach to government." She was a mighty girl

pawprintsinthesink's review against another edition

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5.0

Wilma’s Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller is a beautifully illustrated and highly informational picture book that shares the story of Wilma Mankiller, who became chief of the Cherokee Nation and was consistently an incredible leader. 
I loved learning more about this incredible woman, and tough to explain historical events are laid out in an accessible way. If you want to learn more about the spirit of the Cherokee Nation, 20th century American history through the Native American lens, and about an inspiring woman leader, I highly recommend this book.

Personally, this book is perspective shifting for me. As a Native American who doesn’t fit the mold of what natives “should” look like, reading about Wilma Mankiller, her Dutch (white) mother, and how she spent much of her life outside of Oklahoma, helped allay some of my own insecurities. I have more work to do in that arena, but this book felt validating and filled my heart with hope.