Global Citizenship

October 1, 2020

Gr 6-10-This resource uses accessible language to explain human rights and global citizenship. Beginning with a short historical time line, the book's five chapters each address a specific aspect of human rights, such as poverty and economic justice, as well as cultural, children's, and political rights. The text includes historical examples that spotlight instances where human rights were violated. A section called "Human Rights Hotspots" explores current global problems. These sections focus on an individual country and use the subheadings of "The Basics" and "The Human Toll." A variety of illustrations (including cartoon-style drawings) depict specific human rights advocates. A purple sidebar provides QR codes for access to online resources, breaking up the text into manageable sections. The book emphasizes that human rights are essential: "We owe it to one another to ensure that these rights are upheld.... You have the option to not simply be a bystander, but to act as an ally." Each chapter ends with activities for readers to think about or complete. A glossary, additional resources, a bibliography, and an index round out a solid nonfiction text that will be useful in middle school classrooms. VERDICT An eye-catching resource that is best suited for a social studies curriculum rather than a general library purchase.-Anne Jung-Mathews, Plymouth State Univ., NH

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