Raising one’s hand is an act of bravery and service, an acknowledgment that your voice is powerful, begins this biography of Kamala Harris. As a girl, Kamala learned to raise her hand when she accompanied her parents to anti-war protests and civil rights marches and saw people stand up for what they believed in. She raised her hand in the classroom when a classmate was bullied, and in many other ways when she saw unfairness and injustice. She continued to do so through college and law school, and as a lawyer. Among other things, “She raised her hand so all people could get married” the book tells us, showing her presiding over the marriage of a two-woman couple.
Her hand raising to promote what she believed in continued as attorney general, senator, and vice president. Then, “During the summer of 2024, when America needed a president—and Americans needed hope—Kamala did what she does best. Kamala raised her hand.” Adults will need to explain that America didn’t lack a president at that time, and that Kamala didn’t automatically step into the role—but the book’s vagueness here perhaps leaves room for various election results in November 2024.
Author Raakhee Mirchandani, who shares Harris’s Indian heritage, says in an Author’s Note that she and her daughter have followed Harris over the past four years, and “This book is a thank-you note to a woman who has changed the country and every community she’s lived in.”
The story is clearly partisan, but readers (and their adults) who support Harris will likely enjoy this story that smartly focuses on a relatable and praiseworthy aspect of her personality rather than trying to be a detailed biography. It conveys Harris’ spirit and the throughline of her life with inspirational verve.
The collage illustrations by Supriya Kelkar are textured and joyous. All told, it’s a recommended book for those wanting to engage young readers with current events and notable figures.
