Part of a series of early chapter book biographies from the publisher, the book is geared towards newly independent readers and thus fairly simple and straightforward, but covers the highlights of Rivera’s life well, with bold illustrations enhancing the narrative.
We learn early in the book that when Sylvia was born, she was “labeled as a boy. But from a very young age, she knew that label was wrong.” She was bullied at school when she expressed herself through clothing and makeup, and ran away from home at age 11, “a difficult way to live.” That’s an understatement, but perhaps understandable given the target age range and vocabulary level.
Later, she met Marsha P. Johnson, a “drag queen and activist” who would change her life, helping her learn that she could express her gender as she liked. The book continues her story through the fateful night at the Stonewall Inn in 1969, where she helped fight back against the police, a protest that “helped spark the modern LGBTQ rights movement.” Still, some people didn’t see Sylvia and other trans people as part of that community. Sylvia knew better, however, speaking out for trans people and drag queens, and working with Marsha to create a safe space for trans women and youth. Her legacy lives on through the Sylvia Rivera Law Project and through her example of speaking out to change the world.
Backmatter includes a timeline, glossary, discussion questions, and suggested activity (making a protest sign on an issue that matters to you).
