Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg

Pete Buttigieg grew up with his parents, both college professors, in South Bend, Indiana. When in high school, he ran for class treasurer but lost. Next, he ran for senior class president and won. He worked hard and was accepted to Harvard University. There he studied languages and learned French, Spanish, Maltese, and Arabic. He went on to study in England where he learned philosophy, politics, and economics. When he returned to South Bend, he ran for state treasurer but lost. Then he ran for mayor of South Bend and won. His term was interrupted by being called to serve in the war in Afghanistan. But it was during his second run for mayor he made his most important personal decision.

Author Rob Sanders covers a lot of ground in this terrific, well-written, and well-researched biography with perseverance as an important theme. Telling the story for young children of a politician, especially the first openly gay mayor of a large city, is difficult, but Sanders handles it deftly and will keep readers attention. Illustrations by Levi Hastings support the story with lots of good details. This is a wonderful and timely picture book.