An inspiring deep dive into the history of activist music.
Illuminates the tremendous impact of activist artists and songs on individuals, communities, and social movements both past and present.
As the global demand for social change expands, the need for protest music has only grown. The book’s eight chapters focus on climate justice; gender equality; peace movements; and Indigenous, racial, disability, LGBTQ+, and general human rights. To signify that musicians often address multiple issues in their songs, the book uses symbols—a globe icon for climate justice and a sun symbol for Indigenous rights—which are introduced in the table of contents and repeated later, where relevant, next to each artist’s name. Each chapter opens with an overview of the topic and goes on to include notable musicians, information about specific songs and videos that have made an impact, a suggested playlist, and three thought-provoking discussion questions. A broad range of talent is represented, from artists with decades of fame like Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, and Aretha Franklin, to newer stars like Billie Eilish, Beyoncé, and Lizzo, and many others who are less commonly known. There is also significant racial, national, and ethnic diversity, notably many Indigenous voices. The colorful illustrations and photographs break up the heavy text. This volume would serve as an excellent resource for readers already deeply interested in the subject matter; due to the evocative song descriptions, it could also whet the appetite of casual browsers.
An inspiring deep dive into the history of activist music. (further reading, endnotes, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Oct. 17, 2023
ISBN: 9781771648981
Page Count: 200
Publisher: Greystone Kids
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
Small but mighty necessary reading.
A miniature manifesto for radical queer acceptance that weaves together the personal and political.
Eli, a cis gay white Jewish man, uses his own identities and experiences to frame and acknowledge his perspective. In the prologue, Eli compares the global Jewish community to the global queer community, noting, “We don’t always get it right, but the importance of showing up for other Jews has been carved into the DNA of what it means to be Jewish. It is my dream that queer people develop the same ideology—what I like to call a Global Queer Conscience.” He details his own isolating experiences as a queer adolescent in an Orthodox Jewish community and reflects on how he and so many others would have benefitted from a robust and supportive queer community. The rest of the book outlines 10 principles based on the belief that an expectation of mutual care and concern across various other dimensions of identity can be integrated into queer community values. Eli’s prose is clear, straightforward, and powerful. While he makes some choices that may be divisive—for example, using the initialism LGBTQIAA+ which includes “ally”—he always makes clear those are his personal choices and that the language is ever evolving.
Small but mighty necessary reading. (resources) (Nonfiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-09368-9
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change.
Testa’s connection to and respect for nature compelled her to begin championing animal causes at the age of 10, and this desire to have an impact later propelled her to dedicate her life to fighting plastic pollution. Starting with the history of plastic and how it’s produced, Testa acknowledges the benefits of plastics for humanity but also the many ways it harms our planet. Instead of relying on recycling—which is both insufficient and ineffective—she urges readers to follow two additional R’s: “refuse” and “raise awareness.” Readers are encouraged to do their part, starting with small things like refusing to use plastic straws and water bottles and eventually working up to using their voices to influence business and policy change. In the process, she highlights other youth advocates working toward the same cause. Short chapters include personal examples, such as observations of plastic pollution in Mauritius, her maternal grandparents’ birthplace. Testa makes her case not only against plastic pollution, but also for the work she’s done, resulting in something of a college-admissions–essay tone. Nevertheless, the first-person accounts paired with science will have an impact on readers. Unfortunately, no sources are cited and the lack of backmatter is a missed opportunity.
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change. (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-22333-8
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
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