Be the Change

March 1, 2018

Gr 5-8-Using colorful text and examples, the Moyle sisters share their secrets of successful campaigns for change, peppered with inspirational quotes, Pinterest-worthy fonts, and an authoritative message about finding a cause to believe in. After several sections that define change and creativity, the last three sections provide inspiration, craft projects, and templates and tear-outs that make the book tricky to lend but useful for programming. Relying heavily on bullets and bold text, the introductory chapters serve to engage readers and explain that creativity has many outlets, and it does not always equal artistic talent. The majority of the smiling youth pictured are girls. Each project includes a list of necessary items, directions, and pictures as a guide. The straightforward projects will require additional purchases and money, which may limit the audience. What it lacks in broad appeal, it makes up for in positivity and hope for action that capitalizes on DIY culture. VERDICT Not for circulation, this is a crafty addition to collections about advocacy for the tween set.-Alicia Abdul, Albany High School, NY

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2018
At a time when youth activism is at its peak, many young people are searching for ways to best contribute to making the world a better place. The Moyles offer here a change-agent manual that acts as an inspirational coach, providing ideas for young people who want to take action for change, no matter how limited they may feel in their ability to access inner and outer resources. There is a primer, "The Body Politic," which summarizes how teens can educate themselves and influence the way our political system works. This section offers a list of doable actions, from making videos and starting a club to taking strategic actions to boycott businesses whose practices work against equality. "The Living Room Conversation Guide" is a rubric that guides group discussion for youth and is also a great lesson idea for teachers, who can access this model for their classrooms via a provided URL. The last section of the book features a variety of affordable craft projects, ready-made templates, and postcards geared to enhance civic community projects in any neighborhood. Ample photographs of diverse, enthusiastic youth anchor the lively design. The tone throughout is chatty and positive, offering necessary context when appropriate--the explanation of the progressive, libertarian, and conservative axes of opinion, for instance, is clear and very useful.Kids will close this book energized and empowered; this has great potential for classrooms and youth groups as well as individual activists. (Nonfiction. 10-15)

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