An upbeat, informative resource that will come in handy for many a teen—a shame that teen boys will almost certainly avoid...
Detailed yet concise, this guide to vegetarianism encompasses a broad range of possible choices for teens interested in adopting plant-based diets.
From going completely vegan to simply eating meat that is produced relatively ethically, nutritionist Warren breezily suggests that teens take her short quiz to determine what eating style works best for them. She addresses her audience directly and offers a bit of her own background, including a decision to become a vegetarian as a teen that resulted in less-than-optimal nutrition due to a tendency to view French fries and rice as foods around which to center her diet. The guide is particularly useful in the care it takes in elucidating the myriad terms that exist in labeling food, the breakdown of what foods are good for vegans and lacto-ovo vegetarians at ethnic and chain restaurants, and the potential pitfall of an animal product showing up in food where it would be least expected (fish sauce in “vegetarian” pad Thai; anchovies in Caesar salad). Warren also provides plenty of information on optimal vegetarian nutrition, veg-friendly colleges, online resources, as well as easy recipes and practical but polite ways to talk with adults about eschewing meat.
An upbeat, informative resource that will come in handy for many a teen—a shame that teen boys will almost certainly avoid it due to the title. (Nonfiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4022-8491-5
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Oct. 22, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2013
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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