A chorus of voices for justice and change, diverse alike of identity and cause.
Introductions to 14 women activists, with an audio feature that allows readers to literally hear what they had to say.
The roster opens with Mary McLeod Bethune, speaking of bridges and “brotherhood” in 1955. It goes on to pay respects to a mix of eminent role models (all but three still living), from Maya Angelou and Jane Goodall to Nobel Peace Prize winners Leymah Gbowee and Malala Yousafzai, disabled veteran and recently elected senator Tammy Duckworth, and Native rights activist Suzan Shown Harjo, a founding “director” (actually, trustee) of the National Museum of the American Indian. Each single-spread entry includes a career overview, a stylized but recognizable full-page painted portrait, provocative questions addressed to readers (“What skill do you have that you could teach the people around you?” “Do you think you have an obligation to help those who need it?”), and a transcription of the accompanying sound clip. The last is helpful, as the clips, which are taken from speeches or interviews, run from around 15 to 30 seconds each, and are keyed from a side-mounted touch pad, vary in clarity. The words are all inspirational, and so are the stories. Better still, as examples for budding activists, along with the predictable recitations of jobs, honors, and successes, the overviews often acknowledge failures, cannily characterizing them as first steps or as means to some greater end.
A chorus of voices for justice and change, diverse alike of identity and cause. (further reading) (Novelty/biography. 8-12)Pub Date: March 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-64170-131-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Familius
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2019
The latest installment in the For Kids series offers a clear and interesting biography of the 26th President, plus 21 activities to supplement the narrative. Vigorous writing is rooted in a wealth of fascinating details, and the many photographs, political cartoons, posters, postcards and advertisements help bring to life Roosevelt and his times. Some of the activities, however, have a rather tenuous connection to the text, such as making éclairs (because Roosevelt once said that President McKinley “had no more backbone than an éclair”). One activity—needle felting teddy bears—could prove dangerous for young readers; sewing would be safer and more historically accurate. No source notes are provided, even for quotations, but five of the recommended readings are solid works for young readers. An attractive, well-written volume that, through the better activities, makes learning history a hands-on affair. (places to visit, index) (Nonfiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-55652-955-9
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2010
In no particular order and using no set criteria for his selections, veteran sportscaster Berman pays tribute to an arbitrary gallery of baseball stars—all familiar names and, except for the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, retired from play for decades. Repeatedly taking the stance that statistics are just numbers but then reeling off batting averages, home-run totals, wins (for pitchers) and other data as evidence of greatness, he offers career highlights in a folksy narrative surrounded by photos, side comments and baseball-card–style notes in side boxes. Readers had best come to this with some prior knowledge, since he casually drops terms like “slugging percentage,” “dead ball era” and “barnstorming” without explanation and also presents a notably superficial picture of baseball’s history—placing the sport’s “first half-century” almost entirely in the 1900s, for instance, and condescendingly noting that Jackie Robinson’s skill led Branch Rickey to decide that he “was worthy of becoming the first black player to play in the majors.” The awesome feats of Ruth, Mantle, the Gibsons Bob and Josh, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb and the rest are always worth a recap—but this one’s strictly minor league. (Nonfiction. 10-12)
Pub Date: Sept. 7, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4022-3886-4
Page Count: 138
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2010
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