The Dream and the Hope

By: Garen Thomas, Lori Rozsa

Published by HarperCollins, 2026-01-20

This powerful biography follows Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's road to the Supreme Court as the first Black woman to be confirmed, for middle grade readers from New York Times bestselling author Garen Thomas and The Washington Post reporter Lori Rozsa. This inspiring story features key childhood moments and all those who influenced and encouraged her along the way. Before becoming the first Black woman Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson's early days revealed a truth that was evident to all who knew her: she was born for greatness. From a childhood filled with days of happily reading her father's law books to an adolescence of leading roles in musical theater plays and victories in debate competitions that would bring her national recognition, Ketaji had a spirit, drive, and ambition that never wavered, This captivating nonfiction biography tells of Justice Jackson's life from childhood to her formative years at Harvard to the pivotal day of her confirmation in Washington D.C. From New York Times bestselling author Garen Thomas and?The Washington Post?reporter Lori Rozsa comes the empowering true story of Ketanji Brown Jackson's incredible journey to the Supreme Court, and the dreams and hopes that her journey will inspire in others.