A recurring theme in my nonfiction books is persistence, and perhaps my favorite example of that comes in What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, illustrated by Ekua Holmes and published by Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster.
In the original, English-language version, here’s one way that my text answers the question posed by the book’s title:
She put it to public use.
Barbara wanted more justice and more equality. She knew that these things began with more citizens sharing their own voices with their representatives in government.
To make sure they got heard, Barbara decided to run for political office herself.
So she ran.
And she lost.
And she ran.
And she lost.
“I have no intention of being a three-time loser,” she said.
She ran a third time.
That next time, she won.
It’s a valuable lesson and a source of much-needed inspiration, and I’m so glad that this story is available in Spanish as well. My friend and fellow Texan Carmen Tafolla did the translation for ¿Qué haces con una voz así?, and you can see an example of her marvelous work below.
This month, in hopes that this inspiration will reach a few readers who could use the boost, I’m giving away four signed copies of ¿Qué haces con una voz así? La historia de la extraordinaria congresista Barbara Jordan.
Subscribers to my monthly Bartography Express newsletter (folks can sign up here) are eligible for one of those personalized copies.
If you’d like the winner to be you, by the end of July either say so in the comments below or email me directly, and you’ll be in the running. (U.S. mailing addresses only.)
I’d love to be considered for a copy! I work in a title 1 bilingual school library. Thank you!
This is a wonderful book and I’m so happy to see it in Spanish. I am at a bilingual campus and this would be a great addition to our library for students and teachers to check out. Thank you for all you do for the students to encourage reading. And thank you for always supporting librarians.
I would love to have a Spanish copy of you Barbara Jordan biography. I already have the English version. This will make a great pair for my bilingual students.
Rhonda Simpson
Librarian
Dorsey Elementary
6200 Dexham
Rowlett, TX 75089
I would love to have a copy of this Texas Bluebonnet award nominee for the Spanish section in my school library!
Loved the English version and would really love to have the Spanish one to share with my students and teachers. I am at a Title 1 dual language school
I am Library supervisor for five Title One elementary campuses in Abilene TX, one of which is a bilingual campus and would love a copy of this title! Thank you so much.
We’d love to be considered for a copy. Barbara Jordan is one of my heroes. My school, Peach Elementary, is a bilingual campus and our kids loved seeing you this year.
Me! Me! Me! I want the Spanish version of What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan!!
I’d love to receive a Spanish copy of this amazing book for my Bilingual students. Tolbert Elementary is a Title 1, Bilingual campus. It would be an awesome addition to our diverse collection in our library.
I am a board member and program director for a non-profit called Access Books Bay Area. We refurbish and restock school libraries in the SF Bay area that serve extremely low-income students. We also build, install and stock Little Free Libraries all over the SF Bay Area in very low-income neighborhoods. I would live to be considered for an English or Spanish copy of your book to either give to a school library (if hardcover) or a Little Free Library, Thank you! Linda
I would love to have copy of the Spanish version!
I appreciate your thoughts on the importance of voter turnout in representing the will of the people (and not just the politicians and special interests). I’d also appreciate winning a copy of Que haces con una voz asi to add to the bilingual collection at Douglas Elementary School! Thank you!
My middle school has a large Spanish speaking population. We received funds to increase our books in Spanish! That was a great day. We’d love to add your book to our library. Thanks for the chance. And I VOTE!
A Spanish copy of this book would be wonderful in our Texas elementary school library. I wish more of the books nominated for the Texa s Bluebonnet award were printed for our large Spanish speaking population. We have several of Chris’s books in our collection, and he is a great Texas author. His biography books are very educational and the artists are always phenomenal as well. I love his books and encourage my students to love them, too!
Erin, Tara, Rhonda, Melanie, Diane, Beth, Michelle Q., Michelle T., Jackie, Linda, Mollie, Carol, Lizanne, and Lucy — you’re all officially in the running. Good luck, everybody!