Illustrated by Jamey Christoph
Following the lead of multiple reviewers before me, I will not be giving this book a star review. I am thrilled a book like this exists, showcasing the importance of the Stonewall Uprising, but even for a picture book it feels sadly incomplete.
I enjoyed the idea of the book being narrated by the building itself and its various roles throughout history. It made for a really interesting start, but the perspective didn’t really carry through to the end.
Overall, the story was interesting and did a good job depicting the changes in Greenwich Village through time and the treatment of those who frequented the Stonewall Inn.
I am very disappointed by how little a role trans activists and activists of color play in the text. The book focuses on gay liberation and blanket statements about the community’s diversity without even mentioning Sylvia Ray Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson by name until the backmatter. The text jumps from the events of June 28, 1969 to the first Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day/Pride one year later, completely glossing over the work of various activists between those events.
The artwork is great. I enjoyed the art style, though there is really only one body type presented.
At the back is a more detailed history about the building, photographs related to the topic, an interview with Martin Boyce who participated in the Stonewall Uprising, a glossary of terms, and further reading.
Some good information; the execution just didn’t work for me. The whole book was too sanitized. Still, I’m glad this book exists. It is fine of an introduction to the topic.