Motivating narratives showing the power and necessity of young people as catalysts for change.
A compilation of inspiring speeches from youth around the world whose voices have helped move the needle of progress.
Svitak (Yang in Disguise, 2011, etc.) collects and presents speeches by young people who have had a positive impact on society and politics. From human rights to politics, science, technology, environmentalism, and other areas, this book highlights diverse examples of people whose adolescence proved to be an advantage rather than a drawback. Each speech excerpt is preceded by a summary explaining the problems that spurred them to action and innovation and the changes that came about as a result of their impressive and necessary work. Present in each story and speech is the reminder that it is their youthful optimism, hope, and stamina that led to breakthroughs. Svitak’s introductions give important context and showcase the magnitude and significance of the pioneering efforts of the youth featured here. The bright, realistic, and vibrant illustrations by Pinheiro (So Here I Am, 2019) capture the upbeat tone of the book and will strongly appeal to readers. Along with well-known names such as Malala Yousafzai, Jazz Jennings, and Greta Thunberg, readers will meet Memory Banda, a Malawian activist working to end child marriage; Indigenous environmental protection advocate Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, and many more.
Motivating narratives showing the power and necessity of young people as catalysts for change. (additional biographies, further reading, credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-78131-950-5
Page Count: 176
Publisher: White Lion/Quarto
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
Well-told and admonitory.
Young-rags-to-mature-riches memoir by broker and motivational speaker Gardner.
Born and raised in the Milwaukee ghetto, the author pulled himself up from considerable disadvantage. He was fatherless, and his adored mother wasn’t always around; once, as a child, he spied her at a family funeral accompanied by a prison guard. When beautiful, evanescent Moms was there, Chris also had to deal with Freddie “I ain’t your goddamn daddy!” Triplett, one of the meanest stepfathers in recent literature. Chris did “the dozens” with the homies, boosted a bit and in the course of youthful adventure was raped. His heroes were Miles Davis, James Brown and Muhammad Ali. Meanwhile, at the behest of Moms, he developed a fondness for reading. He joined the Navy and became a medic (preparing badass Marines for proctology), and a proficient lab technician. Moving up in San Francisco, married and then divorced, he sold medical supplies. He was recruited as a trainee at Dean Witter just around the time he became a homeless single father. All his belongings in a shopping cart, Gardner sometimes slept with his young son at the office (apparently undiscovered by the night cleaning crew). The two also frequently bedded down in a public restroom. After Gardner’s talents were finally appreciated by the firm of Bear Stearns, his American Dream became real. He got the cool duds, hot car and fine ladies so coveted from afar back in the day. He even had a meeting with Nelson Mandela. Through it all, he remained a prideful parent. His own no-daddy blues are gone now.
Well-told and admonitory.Pub Date: June 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-06-074486-3
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Amistad/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2006
This autobiography might almost be said to supply the roots to Wright's famous novel, Native Son.
It is a grim record, disturbing, the story of how — in one boy's life — the seeds of hate and distrust and race riots were planted. Wright was born to poverty and hardship in the deep south; his father deserted his mother, and circumstances and illness drove the little family from place to place, from degradation to degradation. And always, there was the thread of fear and hate and suspicion and discrimination — of white set against black — of black set against Jew — of intolerance. Driven to deceit, to dishonesty, ambition thwarted, motives impugned, Wright struggled against the tide, put by a tiny sum to move on, finally got to Chicago, and there — still against odds — pulled himself up, acquired some education through reading, allied himself with the Communists — only to be thrust out for non-conformity — and wrote continually. The whole tragedy of a race seems dramatized in this record; it is virtually unrelieved by any vestige of human tenderness, or humor; there are no bright spots. And yet it rings true. It is an unfinished story of a problem that has still to be met.
Perhaps this will force home unpalatable facts of a submerged minority, a problem far from being faced.
Pub Date: Feb. 28, 1945
ISBN: 0061130249
Page Count: 450
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Oct. 7, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1945
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