Long out of print but now reissued by Lee & Low, this biography looks at Milk’s life from birth through his assassination, and conveys his significance with warmth and appreciation. The text is wordy enough that it’s best for the older end of the picture book age range, but that will be a selling point for those in this range looking for a substantial biography. The length means that it looks at details sometimes skipped in picture book biographies for younger children, such as the impact of his mother telling him about Jewish resistance to Nazis; the significance of his camera shop as a community center, and the excitement of neighbors (including one 11-year-old girl) about his first political campaign. It notes that he fought for the rights of those “often ignored by the government,” including “African Americans, Asian Americans, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and gays and lesbians,” and looks at some of the legislation he helped enact. It does mention the homophobia he faced as well as his assassination, so adults should be prepared to address kids’ concerns there.
The 2022 edition updates the resources at the end to include several titles published after the original 2001 version.
