For kids who are passionate about effecting change and for those who aren’t aware of their potential impact, this book is a...
The author of The Gutsy Girl (2016, illustrated by Wendy MacNaughton) addresses young would-be activists in this how-to manual for effecting change in the world.
Paul opens her book with a letter addressed to young readers in which she connects children’s determination to stand up for their personal likes and dislikes to their power to change the world. She then lists 18 actions people of all ages can take to stand up for causes they believe in, from the small (“Change Your Habits,” “Make a Protest Sign,” “Petition,” “Volunteer,” “Raise Money,” “Write a Letter”) to the large (“Perform Guerilla Theater,” “Invent Something,” “Take Them to Court,” “March,” “Walk Out,” “Just Sit Down”). Each section features true stories of people as young as 6 who took these actions on issues they cared about and had their voices heard. Each section also includes a “workbook” section, with a list of steps to take in order to complete the action. Interspersed throughout are “Activist Tips” that explain terms such as “escalate,” “privilege,” “intersectionality” and “direct action.” Paul makes a point of encouraging people with privilege to take the stance of an ally rather than speaking for disadvantaged groups. She also cautions readers to understand the potential repercussions of direct action, “especially if you are a kid of color.” As clear and responsible as the author is, young readers may still need adult guidance to understand how these sections apply to their lives. Tamaki’s loose black-and-white illustrations include children of many races and at least one woman wearing a hijab.
For kids who are passionate about effecting change and for those who aren’t aware of their potential impact, this book is a useful guide for brainstorming and inspiration. (further reading) (Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: May 15, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68119-822-4
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
A breezy, bustling bucketful of courageous acts and eye-popping feats.
Why should grown-ups get all the historical, scientific, athletic, cinematic, and artistic glory?
Choosing exemplars from both past and present, Mitchell includes but goes well beyond Alexander the Great, Anne Frank, and like usual suspects to introduce a host of lesser-known luminaries. These include Shapur II, who was formally crowned king of Persia before he was born, Indian dancer/professional architect Sheila Sri Prakash, transgender spokesperson Jazz Jennings, inventor Param Jaggi, and an international host of other teen or preteen activists and prodigies. The individual portraits range from one paragraph to several pages in length, and they are interspersed with group tributes to, for instance, the Nazi-resisting “Swingkinder,” the striking New York City newsboys, and the marchers of the Birmingham Children’s Crusade. Mitchell even offers would-be villains a role model in Elagabalus, “boy emperor of Rome,” though she notes that he, at least, came to an awful end: “Then, then! They dumped his remains in the Tiber River, to be nommed by fish for all eternity.” The entries are arranged in no evident order, and though the backmatter includes multiple booklists, a personality quiz, a glossary, and even a quick Braille primer (with Braille jokes to decode), there is no index. Still, for readers whose fires need lighting, there’s motivational kindling on nearly every page.
A breezy, bustling bucketful of courageous acts and eye-popping feats. (finished illustrations not seen) (Collective biography. 10-13)Pub Date: May 10, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-14-751813-2
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Puffin
Review Posted Online: Nov. 10, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2015
A sincere, genuine, and uplifting book that affirms the importance of being true to yourself.
Middle school drama hits hard in this coming-of-age graphic memoir.
Natural competitor Misty has faced off against the boys for years, always coming out on top, but now they’re moving on without her into the land of full-contact football. Never one to back away from a challenge, Misty resolves to join the team and convinces her best friend, Bree, to join her. While Misty pours herself into practicing, obviously uninterested Bree—who was motivated more by getting to be around boys than doing sports—drifts toward popular queen bee Ava, creating an uneasy dynamic. Feeling estranged from Bree, Misty, who typically doesn’t think much about her appearance, tries to navigate seventh grade—even experimenting with a more traditionally feminine gender expression—while also mastering her newfound talent for tackling and facing hostility from some boys on the team. Readers with uncommon interests will relate to the theme of being the odd one out. Social exclusion and cutting remarks can be traumatic, so it’s therapeutic to see Misty begin to embrace her differences instead of trying to fit in with frenemies who don’t value her. The illustrations are alive with color and rich emotional details, pairing perfectly with the heartfelt storytelling. The husband-and-wife duo’s combined efforts will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale. Main characters present as White; some background characters read as Black.
A sincere, genuine, and uplifting book that affirms the importance of being true to yourself. (Graphic memoir. 9-13)Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-06-306469-0
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022
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