Golda Meir (Importance of)

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Following the successful format used for other biographies in this series--reliance on quotes from primary and secondary sources, relevant sidebars, chronologies, well-chosen black-and-white photos, bibliographies, and endnotes--this clearly written narrative recounts the eventful life of Israel's most famous female political leader. Hitzeroth begins with a description of Meir's fearful and perilous childhood in Czarist Russia and an account of how her family fled pogroms and persecution, eventually settling in Milwaukee, WI. The author follows Meir's unsettled family life through adolescence, after which the woman became involved with the Zionist movement, married, moved to pre-Israeli Palestine, and raised a family. Hitzeroth highlights the conflict Meir had to face as she tried to balance her family responsibilities against her increasing involvement in Israel's political life and documents the triumphs and failures of her political leadership. This admiring and informative portrait emphasizes Meir's lasting contributions to the development of the state of Israel and communicates to young readers the heroic dimensions of her rich and full life.--Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego