Review: What Louis Brandeis Knows

What Louis Brandeis Knows: A Crusader for Social Justice Becomes a Supreme Court Justice

by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Stacy Innerst

Calkins Creek (imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers), 2025

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Heidi Rabinowitz

 

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The life of lawyer Louis Brandeis is outlined in this picture book biography, from childhood to his appointment to the Supreme Court. His common sense approach to life is evoked through the repeated phrase "Any fool knows..." that all people should be treated equally, that joy is more important than wealth, and so on. We see Louis growing and learning, building his persuasive skills and fighting for justice. Key events in his life are touched upon briefly, and are later fleshed out in a thorough and fascinating endnote. We learn that Louis was not only significant for being the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice, but that he set crucial precedents that have contributed greatly to the fairness of our democracy: "Due to his influence, fair wages, limited working hours, social security, unemployment insurance, health and safety regulations, and the right of employees to organize are now all protected by law." He also instituted the idea of the right to privacy, and the practice of lawyers working pro bono.

Innerst's illustrations are done in gouache, acrylic, colored pencil, and digital. A sepia infused palette captures the feeling of times past, and the surreal collage style layout continually surprises the reader, adding another layer of interest.

From the first spread, it is obvious that Louis was Jewish. He was not raised in a religious household, but Jewish values were deeply embedded in his consciousness. The text and the endnote also describe his support for Zionism in the years before Israel became a state. Louis Brandeis was a significant and impactful Jewish figure in American history and this book makes that very clear. 

 

Historical photos, extensive endnotes, a timeline, a bibliography, and a description of Louis Brandeis's legacy round out the book. 

 

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Reviewer Heidi Rabinowitz is one of the co-admins of The Sydney Taylor Shmooze, along with Susan Kusel and Chava Pinchuck. She hosts The Book of Life Podcast: A Show About Jewish Kidlit at bookoflifepodcast.com. Heidi is Past President of the Association of Jewish Libraries, and Library Director at Congregation B'nai Israel of Boca Raton, Florida.