It’s Our World, Too!

Both a history and a handbook, this highly inspirational and engaging book will help jump-start readers who yearn to take a stand against injustice or otherwise long to make a difference. A dozen-odd case studies profile children and teens of both sexes from a variety of ethnic backgrounds who had the courage to act on their convictions: among them are 12-year-old Norvell Smith, who stood up to gang pressure at her inner-city school; Justin Lebo, who at age 10 began using his allowance to buy and rebuild junker bicycles, and then give them away to needy children; and 15-year-old Joel Rubin, who, in protest of drift net fishing practices, spearheaded a boycott of a major corporation that resulted in “dolphin safe” tuna. Other youths here have taken on city hall, saved wetlands from developers and spoken out against war.

An introductory chapter primes the audience with a succinct overview of young activists in history, from those who served as conductors on the Underground Railroad to the “newsies” of 1899, who took on the newspaper magnates in a fight for fair wages. The final section of the book, fittingly, is a hands-on approach to mounting a personal campaign, with specific advice on such measures as starting a boycott, lobbying government officials and raising funds–and how to do it all with creativity and flair. This absorbing and energizing book deserves shelf space in every classroom and library.