SPEAK UP!

This tool kit encourages speaking up to promote change in issues that matter to teens.

Fed up with period products being considered a luxury in the U.K. and taxed as such, the author took on the tampon tax. Starting with a petition, she found the internet to be a superpower as hundreds of thousands of people signed—and others were inspired to launch similar campaigns around the world. By illuminating this facet of sexism, Coryton was able to focus on a tangible goal and create an action plan with what she calls “five golden steps”: Be specific, be focused, be smart, be creative, and be confident. Recognizing that teens may be passionate about a wide range of different topics, the book provides valuable tips and specific examples of successes and setbacks to guide readers through their own activism. Accessibility is a strength, as the book can be read straight through or dipped into as desired. The author’s enthusiasm is contagious. Unfortunately, the work has not been updated since its original U.K. publication in early 2019. In stark contrast to Coryton’s use of inclusive language, such as “people who menstruate” and “menstruating people,” and her praise and quoting of trans activist Charlie Craggs, this U.S. edition retains a paragraph lauding J.K. Rowling for standing up against online trolls, an example that, due to subsequent events, will dismay readers who have followed Rowling’s comments about trans rights.

An upbeat handbook for young changemakers.