Joey: The Story of Joe Biden

by Jill Biden, Amy June Bates (Illustrator), Kathleen Krull (Editor)

Overview

“(Jill) Biden’s anecdotal portrait of her spouse’s early years spotlights his competitiveness and risk-taking...his role as a peacemaker, devoted brother, and defender of bullied peers...and reveals how...high school, when he became a star athlete and class president, paved the way for leadership roles in college and beyond.” —Publishers Weekly
“Young readers are likely to find inspiration and aspiration in young Joey as a relatable, athletic, and tenacious kid who grew into a civic leader.” —School Library Journal

Joey is the first ever picture book about the young life of Joe Biden, the 47th Vice President of the United States, and includes never before told family stories about the president-elect and former vice president’s childhood—written by Jill Biden, his spouse.

Joe Biden grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the oldest of four children. His parents always encouraged him and his siblings to be independent and strong. The family moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where at twenty-nine, Biden was elected one the youngest United States Senators ever elected. This is his story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534480537
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Publication date:	06/30/2020
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 11.70(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	890L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jill Biden, wife of President Joe Biden and First Lady of the United States, is the New York Times bestselling author of Where the Light Enters and her children’s books Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops and Joey: The Story of Joe Biden. She teaches English as a community college professor and served as Second Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. During the Obama-Biden administration and now as First Lady, she advocates for military families, community colleges, the fight against cancer, and women’s health research. A mother of three and grandmother of seven, she and her husband live in Wilmington, Delaware, and Washington, DC.

Amy June Bates is the author-illustrator of The Big Umbrella and The Welcome Home. She is also the illustrator of the New York Times bestseller The Leadership Journey by Doris Kearns Goodwin; Sweet Dreams and That’s What I’d Do, both by singer-songwriter Jewel; Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan; Joey: The Story of Joe Biden by Dr. Jill Biden; and many others. She has three children and lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with her husband and her devilishly handsome Labrador, Mr. Mochi.

Kathleen Krull (1952–2021) was the author of over 100 books, including No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader; A Woman for President: The Story of Victoria Woodhull; Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought); The Only Woman in the Photo; and other acclaimed biographies for young readers. Visit her website at KathleenKrull.com.

Editorial Reviews

This portrait of the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee focuses on Joe Biden's childhood and young adult years. The narrative ties together anecdotes showcasing Biden's leadership, compassion, faith, and strong commitment to family, with a focus on his humble upbringing and struggles with stuttering and bullying. Written by his wife—with veteran nonfiction author Krull—this picture book biography is laudatory but not overly so. Warm illustrations contribute to the text's comforting mood. Family tragedies are included in a timeline (current to March 2020). A list of homey "Bidenisms" and a bibliography are appended.

October 27, 2020 - Horn Book Magazine Online