Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag

In a poignant and uplifting biography of Milk, Sanders introduces the political activist through his crusade for human rights: “Harvey dreamed that everyone—even gay people—would have equality. He dreamed that he and his friends would be treated like everyone else.” To realize this dream, Sanders explains, Milk became “one of the first openly gay people to be elected to political office in the United States,” when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Wanting a potent symbol to represent the fight for gay rights, Milk asked artist Gilbert Baker to create a flag: “Volunteers arrived to help Gilbert’s design come to life. Together they dipped fabric into large barrels filled with vivid, bright dyes.” Salerno conveys Milk’s likeness in gently expressive cartoons; he fills his background spreads with decorative, paisley print designs, and the unfurled rainbow flag is a recurring motif. After the assassinations of Milk and San Francisco mayor George Moscone (communicated through a newspaper headline, reading: “Moscone, Milk Killed”), Milk’s message of acceptance and love is carried onward through the pride flag and those who wave it. Biographical notes include timelines and photographs of Milk and fellow activists. Ages 5–8. [em](Apr.) [/em]