I had never heard of Kamala Harris until she became Vice President. This book was written a few years ago when she was senator for California, so it doesn’t include anything about the race for the White House or now she was chosen to be Joe Biden’s running mate. However, what we do get is a story of a woman with a passion for justice and fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves.

Much like Michele Obama’s book, I thoroughly enjoyed finding out about Kamala’s early life and what drove her to seek public office. Although the events are written about in roughly chronological order, she has cleverly shaped each chapter around a particular theme or campaign.

There are some meaty issues in here, e.g. rape and sexual violence, which may not make the book suitable for all young people but I think teenagers would enjoy reading about an inspirational woman of colour who is willing to fight for what she believes in.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent book, perfect for younger readers. It’s books like these that are so important for introducing young people not only to politics but to hard work and determination.

I found this book fascinating as I was very interested to learn more about Kamala Harris and her life. However I have an issue with this being sold as a young readers edition as it addresses subjects such as rape and revenge porn. I wouldn't recommend this for readers under 12years.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review - The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris

This review has been made possible thanks to @NetGalley and @vintagebooks for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I went into the memoir knowing very little about Kamala Harris and her professional and personal lives prior to her taking up her role as Vice President. However, she does an incredibly thorough job of explaining her upbringing, the communities she grew up in, her parents’ backgrounds and all of her work history to show how she’s come a very long way, from the DA’s office to now and how those experiences have influenced how she supports the people and stands for justice now at every opportunity.

I was particularly fascinated with her work prior to her senator role, where she campaigned for changes to be made to improve lives of the people within her and impoverished communities across California and the rest of the US. She ties local or even individual issues into a host of larger, systemic issues that need to be resolved at a higher level, which is the kind of change she aims to do. She relates it back to the diverse and integral members of her community and how they worked to make changes in the 70s and 80s and she now sees this as an opportunity to make change herself.

The writing was very clear, she painted a very detailed picture of the cases she worked with and took you through other linked aspects that contributed to it, and then Harris demonstrated how and what steps she took in order to resolve problems for her constituents. I felt the responsibility she bears every day, trying to make the world a better place for her family and her community and now the whole American public. She references her immigrant mother’s role in her upbringing and how it relates to the struggles experienced by immigrants in the US today. This has been a very powerful and eye-opening book to issues I was aware of in passing but I never knew the individual roles that were taken to resolve issues.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in politics, biographies, or teenagers wondering whether their voice will be heard and whether they can make a difference, regardless of which background they hail from. Everyone has a voice and a chance to implement change. 💪🏻

Even if it's the young reader edition I found it interesting and full of food for thought.
i wanted to know something more about Kamala Harris and I consider this book a good introdution.
Some topics could be a bit hard to understand for a young reader.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I was extremely curious about America's first female Vice President as I hadn't really heard of Kamala Harris before and The Truths We Hold seemed like an excellent way to learn a little about her. I think making the original tale accessible for the younger reader although there is some subject matters within the book may have still been a little too mature for a younger reader so in my humble opinion is that this version of The Truths We Hold is for older teens but others may disagree.

I would have liked to know a little but more about Kamala Harris the person as well as her career path that has led to her becoming the first female VP of the United States. You get glimpses and then it swiftly changes back to her time as a prosecutor and then into politics.

The book is interesting, albeit covering difficult topics but these subjects which can be triggering for people need to be spoken about... and I have a feeling will be a welcome guide to anyone who wishes to follow in her footsteps.

Thank you again to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for my advanced copy.

I did find this book fascinating because the author is now the the US Vice President.

Also I really wanted to like it - I did have the YOUNG READER's Edition so maybe the language was adapted to this audience but there is an overuse of repetition to drive home a point, coupled with some suspect grammar. In the Preface we have in quick succession (x3) "We need to speak truth". Huh?

Chapter 7 ("Everybody") focuses on racial inequalities in the health care system without addressing the main problems causing the poor health of many Americans - terrible diet and sedentary lifestyle - which is down to individual choice.- so while I sympathize - some of the views are quite simplistic and that worries me as being in office in the second most important job in the U.S. as a mixed race person it is crucial that the whole spectrum of an issue be addressed.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.- I did learn a bit more about Ms. Harris and wish her all the best in her new office.

I’ve read the adult version of this book and now the young readers edition. This one is brilliant at captivating young minds and being relevant and engaging. Will definitely inspire!