Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!

By Joy Ellison, Teshika Silver (illustrator),

Book cover of Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!: The Story of the Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History

Book description

"Someday girls like us will be able to wear whatever we want. People will call us by the names we choose. They'll respect that we are women. The cops will leave us alone and no one will go hungry."

Sylvia and Marsha are closer than sisters. They are kind and…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution! as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

In this gorgeous, accessible story, Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, two transgender women meet on the street and become fast friends. They never knew whether they would eat, find shelter, or face violence from "Alice in the blue dress" (the police). Yet their friendship and generosity radiate throughout this story. They freely give their last dollar. Worry about kids without roofs. On Marsha’s birthday in 1969, they begin the “beautiful” revolution at the Stonewall Inn by refusing to be arrested for wearing dresses. This courage, this determination to create safe housing, this joyful zeal for equality inspires me still.…

From Charlotte's list on LGBTQ+ picture books.

Want books like Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!.

Browse books like Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!

Book cover of Red: A Crayon's Story
Book cover of A Church for All
Book cover of Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,224

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in LGBTQ+ topics and characters, topics and characters, and gay topics and characters?