This upbeat book guides kids who want to influence the world for the better but don't know how to start, and it gives a boost of fresh ideas to those already on a youth-activist path. Its 342 pages abound with reflection questions, self-care tips, encouraging quotes, real-life examples, and down-to-earth advice for readers ages 10 and up.
Divided into four parts, it begins with readers' own lives and progresses to worldwide changemaking over time. Part I, "Examine Your World," helps young people think like an activist, choose causes to defend, and put their personal abilities to work. Part II, "Animal and Earth Issues," traces out what's needed on behalf of wildlife, farm animals, and pets; it then addresses ecological safeguards and matters beyond earth, like the problem of space junk. Part III, "People Issues," explores peacemaking, ensuring equity, boosting income for the poor, supporting health, and ensuring education. Part IV, "Change is Everywhere," considers the importance of creativity, perseverance, and staying positive.
Readers can proceed a page at a time and be thoroughly guided. But also, if they open to any page they will find surprising treasures. For instance, one inserted box asks "Do you know how to grumble?" and goes on to explain how to transform that ability into the power to complain to people in charge. A section called "Benefits of Failure" contains eight bubbles with reassuring gems about discovering how to "find better ways to do things," "accept challenges you can manage," "get comfortable with discomfort," "judge others less harshly," and more. A spotlight on Plant-for-the-Planet tells how in 2007 nine-year-old Felix Finkbeiner started this foundation which now leads a movement to plant a trillion trees worldwide.
Joan Marie Galat writes for adult audiences but is best known for presenting complex information to young readers in an engaging manner. She explains in her Introduction that whenever she comes across "news stories about children and adults tackling social issues, I always read on to see how they overcame the challenges they faced, and eventually the obstructions to making a difference came to feel less imposing. In fact, it became clear — there are countless ways to be an activist, even if you do not apply that label to yourself."
Here's to the current and future activists who will gain clarity, hope, and purpose from her wise words.
