Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice

Lightly framed as a conversation between a girl and her mother, this comprehensive picture book biography follows formative events in the life of former presidential candidate and "lawyer, prosecutor, Senator" Kamala Harris. Though each page is information-dense, lyrical prose makes the text effortlessly readable ("Right away, Kamala was like clay/ her parents molded for action..../ chewing on her pacifier/ and words like 'peace' and 'justice' "). In multitextured digital art, Freeman succeeds in creatively capturing a range of Harris's expressions and experiences, exemplified by a layered portrait of her life and legacy. Notably, Grimes covers Harris's presidential run and withdrawal, leaving young readers with an uplifting message of perseverance and agency: "Kamala Harris is still writing/ her American story.// And so are you." Back matter includes a timeline and sources. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 1-4--Award-winning poet and author Grimes offers a picture book biography of U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, who became the first female District Attorney of San Francisco and later the first Black woman to serve as attorney general of California. Born in Oakland, CA, in 1964, Harris was exposed to activism at a young age. When she was still a baby, her parents brought Harris to civil rights marches and lectures by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Using poetic language and striking imagery, Grimes details the future senator's life, from her beginnings to her presidential run in 2020. Freeman's artwork adds rich details and illuminates Grimes's prose. The bright colors and background scenes pop on the pages and reflect Harris's journey. The text focuses on Harris's life and career and highlights the positive, inspiring aspects of her accomplishments. However, Grimes also depicts the struggles Harris faced, including personal failures (not passing the California Bar Exam on the first try) and family issues (her parents' divorce at the age of seven). A time line and sources are included in the back matter. VERDICT Penned by wordsmith Grimes and vividly illustrated by Freeman, this is an age-appropriate depiction of a notable figure in American politics. A worthy addition to children's biography collections.--Molly Dettmann, Norman North H.S., OK

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Lyrical prose makes the text effortlessly readable . . . In multitextured digital art, Freeman succeeds in creatively capturing a range of Harris's expressions and experiences, exemplified by a layered portrait of her life and legacy. Notably, Grimes covers Harris's presidential run and withdrawal, leaving young readers with an uplifting message of perseverance and agency."—Publisher's Weekly "July 2020"