Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets

Product Description

This book is about the Stonewall Riots, a series of spontaneous, often violent demonstrations by members of the gay (LGBTQ+) community in reaction to a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The Riots are attributed as the spark that ignited the LGBTQ+ movement. The author describes American gay history leading up to the Riots, the Riots themselves, and the aftermath, and includes her interviews of people involved or witnesses, including a woman who was ten at the time. Profusely illustrated, the book includes contemporary photos, newspaper clippings, and other period objects. A timely and necessary read, 
The Stonewall Riots helps readers to understand the history and legacy of the LGBTQ+ movement. 
 

From School Library Journal

Gr 6–9—A thorough if somewhat disjointed examination of the events before, during, and in the aftermath of the Stonewall Riots gives young readers an overview of the LGBTQ+ activism of the 1950s and 1960s. Pitman traces meeting places, social clubs, and the rise of organizations and activist groups as well as the many police raids of gay establishments, focusing on the June 28, 1969, raid on the mob-owned Stonewall Inn. Due to a lack of documented accounts, use of pseudonyms, and conflicting reports, controversies remain over the actuality of events at Stonewall. Post-Stonewall, readers learn about the increase in radical groups and visibility that challenged negative attitudes and discrimination. Pitman occasionally expands the narrative focus to examine what was happening in various places around the country and to consider other issues and movements of the time, including weaknesses and missteps in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights. The unique approach of using various objects (matchbooks, leaflets, buttons, arrest records, photographs, and more, with many reproductions too small or low resolution to read) to guide, inform, and reconstruct the story of the riots prevents a smooth narrative flow and makes the text feel repetitive as it moves back and forth in time. Back matter includes a time line, notes, bibliography, and an index. VERDICT An important look at a major moment in American history. Readers will come to understand why the iconic Stonewall Inn is now on the National Register of Historic Places, a National Historic Landmark, and a National Monument.—Amanda MacGregor, Parkview Elementary School, Rosemount, MN

Review

**STARRED REVIEW**
“With meaningful content delivered in an innovative format,
The Stonewall Riots deserves to be required reading for people of all ages.”
(
Shelf Awareness)

“A substantive look at a key moment in the history of the LGBTQIAP-equality movement.”
(
Kirkus Reviews)

“Pitman’s fresh storytelling brings emotion and depth to the history of a movement and the establishment that served as an epicenter for social change.”
(
Publishers Weekly)

“The narrative is presented through a series of “objects”: photographs of places, people, or items, such as a police officer’s nightstick, a parking meter, a matchbook, or a protest leaflet. Though each object only reveals a small part of the story, together they reveal a powerful picture and offer rich historical context . . . [An] inviting, engaging, and well-researched approach to history.”
(
Booklist)

“In brief chapters themed around objects and places associated with the run-up, aftermath, and three days of rioting, readers get a credible reconstruction of events and the context with which to frame it.”
(
The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)

“An important look at a major moment in American history. Readers will come to understand why the iconic Stonewall Inn is now on the National Register of Historic Places, a National Historic ­Landmark, and a National ­Monument.”
(
School Library Journal)

About the Author

Gayle E. Pitman, PhD, is a pro