Stitch by Stitch: Cleve Jones and the AIDS Memorial Quilt

by Rob Sanders (Author) Jamey Christoph (Illustrator)

Stitch by Stitch: Cleve Jones and the AIDS Memorial Quilt
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

From the blanket that his great-grandmother made for him as a boy, to the friends he gathered together in San Francisco as a young man, to the idea for a monument sewn of fabric and thread, Cleve Jones' extraordinary life seems to have been stitched together bit by bit, piece by piece.

Mentored by Harvey Milk, Jones first had the vision for what became the AIDS Memorial Quilt during a candlelight memorial for Milk in 1985. Along with friends, Cleve created the first panels for the quilt in 1987. The AIDS Memorial Quilt grew to be one of the largest public arts projects ever and helped grow awareness of HIV and AIDS. The Quilt is an iconic symbol of hope and remembrance and is Jones' shining achievement. It has since toured the world and been seen by millions.

This evocative biography is a touching tribute to Jones' life of advocacy, the positive effects of a community working towards a common goal, and an inspiring story for young readers. Includes a timeline and extensive back matter.

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Hardcover
$17.99

Kirkus

Starred Review
Storytelling and history, beautifully stitched together.

Publisher's Weekly

Starred Review
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. (Oct.)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly LLC, Used with permission

Rob Sanders
Rob Sanders is a former elementary school teacher who writes funny and fierce fiction and nonfiction. He is the author of such acclaimed titles as Stitch by Stitch: Cleve Jones and the AIDS Memorial Quilt, Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution., and Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights.
He lives in Brandon, Florida. Visit robsanderswrites.com and @RobSandersWrite on Twitter.

Sam Kalda is an illustrator and artist based in Saint Paul. His commissioned works include editorial, book, advertising and pattern illustration. In 2017, he received a gold medal in book illustration from the Society of Illustrators in New York. His first book, Of Cats and Men: History's Great Cat-loving Artists, Writers, Thinkers and Statesmen, was published in 2017 with Ten Speed Press. He is the illustrator of When We Walked on the Moon, and the follow-up, When Darwin Sailed the Sea. Visit samkalda.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781433837395
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Magination Press
Publication date
October 20, 2021
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV000000 - Juvenile Fiction | General
Library of Congress categories
AIDS (Disease)
Jones, Cleve
NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt

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