William Bernhardt

William Bernhardt is a New York Times bestselling author of over twenty books. His novels are renowned for their unexpected twists, legal realism, breathless pace, humor, and insightful consideration of trends and issues in contemporary American society. He is a two-time winner of the Oklahoma Book Award and was the youngest author ever inducted into the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame.

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Equal Justice: The Courage of Ada Sipuel FOR AGES 9-12 (Grades 3-6) A Young Rebel Dreams of a Better World… The law said America kept the black and white races separate but equal. From the time she was a young girl growing up in Chickasha, Oklahoma, however, Ada Sipuel learned that separate was never equal. The schools, hospitals, and social opportunities available to her family were a pale shadow of those available to the white community. Once she asked her father why the world was divided. He told her it shouldn’t be. “There’s only one Constitution, only one Bible.” He also taught her not to be afraid to challenge injustice. “Always stand up for what’s right,” he said. “Anything worth having is worth fighting for.” Years later, Ada hoped to fight for equality for all people by becoming a lawyer, but the only law school in Oklahoma refused to admit her because of the color of her skin. How could separate be equal when no law school in the state that would admit her? Remembering her father’s words, she fought for admission through a long series of legal battles, ultimately leading to a landmark decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. With the eyes of the world upon her, Ada’s courage and conviction proved that she deserved to study in the same institutions as her peers. Ada learned that civil disobedience—a combination of respect for the law but disrespect for its unfair application—could combat inequality. Her bravery set in motion a chain of events that broke down barriers of injustice in America. Equal Justice: The Courage of Ada Sipuel honors the principles and convictions that exemplified her remarkable life and legacy—and proves that a single person can forever change the landscape of a nation.