Activist Kelaher rallies supporters for two crusades: rescuing farmed or lab animals and refusing to eat them or use their products.
The Aussie founder of NSW Hen Rescue dishes up a spicy mix of interviews and advocacy to promote the idea that switching to a vegan diet and vigorously opposing any sort of animal use go hand in hoof (paw, fin, claw). Her main ingredients are short Q&A exchanges with budding animal activists around the world but mostly in Australia and the U.S. They are all vegans and mostly teenagers—though some are far younger—who speak about both their favored methods of raising awareness and specific areas of concern, ranging from livestock abuse and slaughter to plastic pollutants, cruelty in the pet industry, wildlife rescue, and classroom dissections. One interesting section presents veganism through the lens of intersectionality. Along with breezy reassurances that any dish can be reinvented as vegan and introductions to some of her own feathered rescuees, Kelaher folds in checklists, a sample press release, and other useful tools. If some suggested activities skate legality’s ragged edge (slapping protest stickers on grocery store shelves or items), at least they’re nonviolent and generally feasible for younger audiences. The few photos that aren’t portraits of interviewees (who are mostly White, with some Asian and Black representation) or healthy-looking rescued chickens are at worst only mildly disturbing. The tone overall is friendly, chatty, and highly engaging.
Helpful and inspirational. (online resources) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-61822-094-3
Page Count: 310
Publisher: Ashland Creek Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
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Congolese-American Sophie makes a harrowing trek through a war-torn jungle to protect a young bonobo.
On her way to spend the summer at the bonobo sanctuary her mother runs, 14-year-old Sophie rescues a sickly baby bonobo from a trafficker. Though her Congolese mother is not pleased Sophie paid for the ape, she is proud that Sophie works to bond with Otto, the baby. A week before Sophie's to return home to her father in Miami, her mother must take advantage
of a charter flight to relocate some apes, and she leaves Sophie with Otto and the sanctuary workers. War breaks out, and after missing a U.N. flight out, Sophie must hide herself and Otto from violent militants and starving villagers. Unable to take Otto out of the country, she decides finding her mother hundreds of miles to the north is her only choice. Schrefer jumps from his usual teen suspense to craft this well-researched tale of jungle survival set during a fictional conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Realistic characters (ape and human) deal with disturbing situations described in graphic, but never gratuitous detail. The lessons Sophie learns about her childhood home, love and what it means to be endangered will resonate with readers.
Even if some hairbreadth escapes test credulity, this is a great next read for fans of our nearest ape cousins or survival adventure. (map, author's note, author Q&A) (Adventure. 12-16)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-545-16576-1
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Oct. 2, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2012
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Ali-Karamali offers plenty of anecdotes about growing up Muslim in America in a conversational tone that is undermined by poor organization.
The work explores a range of questions that non-Muslims might have about followers of Islam. Ranging from a discussion of Muslim holidays or the kinds of clothes worn by Muslims to the development of Islam, the author explains these topics in a friendly, engaging manner. She provides several examples of Muslim practices around the world, going beyond her American experiences to reflect Islam’s diversity. Chapters are organized into three fact-filled sections on beliefs and practices, the development of Islam and current Muslim demographics. Unfortunately, beginning with the practical questions about food, fasting and fashion delays important concepts such as how jihad is not equivalent to terrorism and whether Islam mandates women wear face veils (in a word, no). Compounding this basic conceptual flaw, this organizational choice necessitates clunky references to later chapters. Moreover, it is not until Chapter 4 that cited figures or quotes are provided references, an example of sloppy scholarship.
Readers will find answers to basic questions about Muslims, yet they might not understand the bigger picture if they don’t hang in until the end. (notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Aug. 14, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-385-74095-1
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: June 19, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2012
Categories: TEENS & YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT RELIGION
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