Who Is Kamala Harris?

Who Was . . . ? Series

by Kirsten Anderson, Who H.Q., Manuel Gutiérrez (Illustrator)

The inspiring story of the 2020 Democratic vice presidential nominee, told in the new Who HQ NOW format for trending topics.

On August 22, 2020, Kamala Harris, a senator from California, became the first African-American and South Asian-American woman to be selected as the vice presidential running mate on a major party's ticket. While her nomination was not unexpected, her rise to national prominence was one filled with unexpected turns and obstacles. After failing her first bar exam to become a lawyer, she tried again and passed. From there, she quickly rose through the legal ranks, serving as district attorney of San Francisco, then California's attorney general, and soon, senator. As a politician, Kamala Harris has been a vocal champion of progressive reforms and women's rights. This exciting story details the defining moments of what led to her nomination and all the monumental ones since that have shaped her career and the future of America.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Middle Grade, Audiobook, Childrens, Politics

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 19, 2021

Reviews

[Sarah W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to an advanced audio download of this book. I think it's a great, age appropriate, introduction to Kamala Harris and will be a good part of a core library collection. I liked how the author did not shy away from some of the more controversial parts of Kamala's career. They chose to include them but in a way that the intended audience will understand.

[Georgina Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy comprehensive guide on the life of Kamala Harris, first women to become vice president of the United States (and prospective future president). My only critique is that her story feels too short right now and there are more interesting chapters to add when this book is reissued after the 2024 presidential election. Great for readers ages 10 and above.

[Sundee Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is Black History Month, so I thought I would start by getting to know our new Vice President better. As with all of the WhoHQ books I've read so far, this one did an excellent job relaying Kamala Harris's life, her accomplishments, and what drives her. It was the shortest WhoHQ book I've read to date, which really surprised me. Still, it was an excellent read.

[Theo Mellor · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only thing I knew about Kamala Harris before reading this book was that she laughs a lot, and after reading this book all I know about Kamala Harris is that she was a District Attorney, went viral during the debates for going against Biden, and that she laughs a lot.

[Pumkin pie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rate this book a three-and-a-half star rating. It was a short read about one of the most influential and important people in the United States. I enjoyed learning new and interesting facts about her and learning about her life before the presidency. I reccomend this book to people who are ages eight and up.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book briefly summarizes Kamala Harris's life, from childhood up to becoming the Vice President of the United States.

It is a typical entry in the Who is... (Who HQ Now) series and is written for older elementary school-age children. I do hope that there will be an updated edition with her accomplishments as VP...and beyond.

I really enjoyed listening to Andia Winslow narrate the audiobook edition.

[Emma]

This book was good. It definitely entertained me.

[Sundria (Sundi) McCormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these little books. I bought it for a friend’s son and had to read it too before he gets it. Great for children to understand who these folks are.

[Lydia]

3.5 it was the shortest one at mr. ks

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative and balanced chapter book biography of Kamala Harris up to the time of her election as Vice President of the United States.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

While Kamala Harris's rise to prominence is impressive and worth charting, this biography doesn't do justice to its subject. Although there are several references included in the back matter, the book itself seems to be just a list of her various jobs and elected offices. Young readers may feel inspired by her accomplishments and the fact that she is the first woman to be elected as vice president of our country as well as being biracial (Black and Indian), but I wish this account of her life had included more personal anecdotes and clues as to what gave her the courage to be as ambitious as she was and how she dealt with adversity such as failing to pass the bar exam on her first try. Had some of those elements been added, this book would have provided a more accurate portrait of this groundbreaking woman that would have brought her to life; instead, readers really never learn what makes Kamala Harris tick or whom she is. Obviously, I wanted more from this title, part of the WHOHQ series.

[Kristi Clemow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty short and not much meat to this one. But still well written for children.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Is Kamala Harris? by Kirsten Anderson
Published January 19, 2021

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The inspiring story of the 2020 Democratic vice presidential nominee, told in the new Who HQ NOW format for trending topics.
On August 22, 2020, Kamala Harris, a senator from California, became the first African-American and South Asian-American woman to be selected as the vice presidential running mate on a major party's ticket. While her nomination was not unexpected, her rise to national prominence was one filled with unexpected turns and obstacles. After failing her first bar exam to become a lawyer, she tried again and passed. From there, she quickly rose through the legal ranks, serving as district attorney of San Francisco, then California's attorney general, and soon, senator. As a politician, Kamala Harris has been a vocal champion of progressive reforms and women's rights. This exciting story details the defining moments of what led to her nomination and all the monumental ones since that have shaped her career and the future of America.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic, engaging and inspiring for me to read and I am sure that students aged from 5th grade through 9th grade would find it inspiring too. It told about her upbringing and all her first as a women/girl of color in the 1960’s being bused to integrated schools until she became Vice President of the United States. Her attitude is positive like the book and her words of wisdom that her mother once told her from the book “You may be the first but don’t be the last” inspires us all to help others. This would be fabulous to show the changes diversity makes in our government and their following decisions. The illustrations were fun and looked like campaign ads; they were cool.

[Ashleigh Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book "Who Is Kamala Harris?" provides information about Kamala Harris throughout her life as she grew up. I learned many new things about her life I didn't previously know before reading this book, and I found it interesting to learn more about her. This book is written with language that is easy to understand and for young readers to comprehend. I would use this book in my future classroom for students to learn more about her. Students could do a project on someone who is in the government and this book could be used to pull information out of for students to use in their project based on Kamala Harris.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kamala Harris is a very active and go getting woman. She Has always kept to the saying that her mother told her, "You may be the first, but don't be the last." This means that even though you may be the first to accomplish something, make sure that others may follow in your footsteps. She has proven this throughout her life, she was the first woman to do many things but the biggest so far is that she is now the first female Vice President of the United States. She is a woman to watch for now and in the future.

[David Rough · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my least favorite biography in the Who Is....series so far. I thought it a bit premature to feature a political figure before she has established a lasting legacy.

Just the size of the book (1/2 the size of most of the other books in this series) indicates that lack of accomplishment and depth of experience in Kamala Harris' personal and professional life. I hope the author will be able to update this volume in the coming years with a rich portfolio of positive leadership at the national level. I think the book was published too quickly after the Vice President took office.

[Elina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book. It became a pinch boring at the end though so thats why I gave it only 4 stars. So in India kamala means lotus and in India it is a important sign. Kamalas mother was a Indian. And her father a black. They both divorce though. Kamala and her sis lived. With their mother. And kamala also became a excellent cook herself. She is a great person. So great now she is vice president of the United States.

[Kylie Bendele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keywords: autobiography, politics, timeline

Summary: This book follows the life of Kamala Harris, the now Vice President of the United States. The book tells the story from birth, follows her through childhood, and even to adulthood when she was elected the Vice President of the United States.

Prompt: The type autobiography that is presented in this book is a full autobiography because it follows her life from birth to the present day.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

49 pgs. This is an up-to-date book in the "Who Is" series. It includes the basic story of Mrs. Harris' childhood, education, and career. It ends with her selection and election as Vice-President of the United States of America. Kids will enjoy learning about her background and history. Well-written and useful for reports. Highly recommended for Grades 4-6.

[Kevin Alexander · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an introduction to the VP of the United States Kamala Harris that was geared towards children. It was okay but I could not get passed the glaring omission of Shirley Chisholm when the author said Kamala was the first woman of color to run at this level and the fourth overall after Ferraro, Palin and Clinton. I know this a children’s book but details and representation matters.

[Selin Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite educational, especially for kids. I like that it touched on different instances where Harris received criticism, specifically on her truancy initiative. It did not discuss the criticism on harsh punishments for those convicted for drug related charges but that isn’t necessarily appropriate for the target audience.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read and seems like a good summary of Kamala Harris' life so far. It ends with her becoming vice-president, of course. There will be some who won't like their kids to read it because of partison politics - but it can't be denied, this is a lady who has accomplished some great things.

[Shelby]

I think what really turned myself and friends and family against her was how she talked about the bussing and ill effects but then decided to run with the man who created it.

She put into place holding adults responsible with jail time for kids with truancy... why does she not enforce this for parents of children who commit mass murder/school shootings????

[Maizie Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a super good book that I learned a lot more information about Kamala Harris. This book did a really good job outlining what she has accomplished so far in her life! This book, as well as the Who Am I series, is definitely one that I will keep in the classroom for students to explore more about the people they would like to learn more about!

[Kate]

A good, age-appropriate biography-in-progress of our Vice President. I was impressed with the quality of the illustrations and the way that the author addressed the highlights of Harris's life with evenhandedness and clarity. A good choice for elementary school readers.

[Candy Soulistic]

This was.... extremely short to me. I wish they added more information on her family especially her mother's side. Unlike the series Who Is? This book was like the Coles Notes of a series that should be Coles Notes. Other than that good read.

[Elizabeth Behrens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent condensed version of Kamala Harris' life and career, up to her election as vice president. I did feel that since this book is intended for younger audiences that when discussing her political career it was a little confusing and could've been simplified.

[createitlibrarian (Amanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great intro to who Kamala Harris is. I love that the author discussed the issues that people thought were controversial and why they thought that. It allows the kids to think and ponder some of the issues themselves.

[Amin Bachari · Rating 5 out of 5]

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