Spring 2025

The Mother of a Movement

Jeanne Manford — Ally, Activist, and Founder of PFLAG

  • Interest Level: Grade 1 - Grade 4
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

The Mother of a Movement is a true story of parental support and unconditional love.

The Mother of a Movement tells the story of Jeanne Manford, the founder of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). When her son Morty was beaten by New York City officials for handing out pro-gay leaflets, Manford wrote a powerful letter to the New York Post to complain about how Morty was treated. In the letter she came out as the mother of a gay son. The letter was published. Morty invited his mother to march with him in the June 1972 Christopher Street Parade. While marching, she had the idea to form a group to help parents and families of LGBTQ+ people. That was the beginning of PFLAG.

  • The Children’s Book Council Children’s Favorites Award 2023 for books published in 2022
  • 2023 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List
  • 2023 Orbis Pictus Recommended Book from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
  • Finalist for the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award in the Younger Children Category
  • 2022 FOREWORD INDIES FINALIST
Format Your Price Add
978-1-4338-4020-3
$16.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on library bound hardcovers and all eBook and eBook with Audio editions when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Grade 1 - Grade 4
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Picture Books, Social Studies
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Biography, Diverse Books: LGBTQIA+, SEL: D Relationship Skills, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2022
Publisher Magination Press, American Psychological Association
Imprint Magination Press — American Psychological Association
Language English
Number of Pages 40
Publication Date 2025-01-01
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF007110, JNF053080, JNF025210
Dimensions 8 x 10
Features Original artwork, Reviewed, and Starred Reviews

Author: Rob Sanders

Illustrator: Sam Kalda

Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

“®ousing prose . . . . This is a valuable tool for research projects, with backmatter that includes information on Jeanne’s son Morty Manford, PFLAG’s history, a robust list of sources, and an up-to-date selection of other titles about queer history. . . . Stylish, chic, and strong. Brava!”—starred, Kirkus Reviews