Stitch by Stitch

Starred review from September 6, 2021
This neatly woven picture book biography features Cleve Jones (b. 1954), a white gay man who moved to San Francisco, became a mentee of Harvey Milk, and eventually came up with the idea for the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Sanders emphasizes the quilt theme throughout, while aptly conveying Cleve’s milestones: “Cleve soon had/ a patchwork of/ friends...// held together by a/ common thread.” When an epidemic—later called AIDS—sweeps through the gay community and beyond, Jones plans the sewn monument to AIDS victims, which was displayed on the National Mall in 1987 before touring the world. Christoph contributes fine-lined art in a light-colored palette, showcasing a cast of varying skin tones. A rhythmic poem by Sanders, presented in full via the ample back matter, ties this richly informative book together. Back matter includes a discussion guide, glossary, more information on Cleve Jones and another Quilt contributor, and an author’s note. Ages 4–8.

September 1, 2021
Learn the history of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt stitch by stitch. Cleve Jones, San Franciscan activist and mentee of Harvey Milk, is the central figure in an informative picture book that captures the history and tone of the era in which the AIDS Quilt grew. While in San Francisco, Cleve witnessed a mysterious illness that was sweeping through the gay male community, killing the majority of victims. On Nov. 27, 1985, Jones helped organize a march to remember recently assassinated politicians Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Cleve and a co-organizer handed out cardboard and markers, asking participants to write down names of friends who'd died of AIDS. The sight of these names taped to the walls of San Francisco's Federal Building became the impetus for the quilt. Its story is beautifully captured in the book's smooth pacing and brief paragraphs. Readers will follow its journey from that march as it becomes both a monument to mourning and a means of changing the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS. The weighty backmatter, which includes discussion points, a glossary, timeline, biographies, and brief bibliography, will help educators and caregivers guide further learning. The racial diversity on display throughout the book is admirable; it's a shame that diversity did not extend to body shapes as well. This quibble aside, the book is pretty darn impressive. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Storytelling and history, beautifully stitched together. (Informational picture book. 9-12)

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December 15, 2021
Grades 1-4 Starting with Cleve Jones' birth, when he was gifted a quilt made by his great--grandmother, this book tells the story of his life and his launch of the AIDS Memorial Quilt project. "Slowly. Over time. One step at a time. That's how change is made," explains Sanders, whose short, accessible sentences mimic the thousands of steps on the path to change. The book's descriptions of the actions taken by Jones and others over a long time, with government and society against them, show readers what a struggle it was to gain compassion for victims of AIDS. Foregrounding this struggle is Jones' experiences of feeling like an outsider because of his sexuality. The afterword includes further details, a discussion guide to help children learn more about AIDS, and an introduction to "the mother of the quilt," Gert McMullin. Christoph's vibrant, realistic, computer-generated images of the quilt covering the National Mall in Washington, DC, of AIDS patients (looking well in the hospital), and of Jones and others at work emphasize compassion in activism. A great addition to nonfiction shelves.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.