A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth

Thai American creators portray the inspirational and barrier-breaking life of Senator Tammy Duckworth in a picture-book tribute to an extraordinary woman.

Senator Tammy Duckworth has logged a long list of “firsts” during her tenure as the first Thai American woman elected to Congress, including being the first woman with a disability to serve in the House and Senate. But while she dreamed of serving her country from a young age, Tammy’s path was not without its challenges. In this dramatic account, award-winning creators Christina Soontornvat and Dow Phumiruk chronicle Tammy’s journey. From her childhood fight to keep her family from homelessness, to her service in the US Army, to her recovery from grievous injuries sustained in the line of duty, Tammy never lost her determination to keep going against staggering odds.
Evoking Tammy Duckworth’s spirited nature with sensitivity and joy, this uplifting account of a groundbreaking military veteran and rising political star will inspire readers to dream and achieve. Includes a time line and suggestions for further reading.

Christina Soontornvat is the acclaimed author of picture books, chapter books, nonfiction, and middle-grade fiction, including the Newbery Honor–winning fantasy A Wish in the Dark. Her narrative nonfiction title All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team received a Newbery Honor, a Robert F. Sibert Honor, and the Kirkus Prize, among other honors and awards. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Dow Phumiruk is an award-winning illustrator of several picture books, including Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker and Maya Lin by Jeanne Walker Harvey. Originally from Thailand, Dow Phumiruk lives in Colorado.