The Art of the Possible

August 24, 2015
Keenan offers an easygoing overview of the political arena, beginning with an introduction to types of government, followed by a more conceptual exploration of political ideology, authority, and the roles of citizens. A young man and woman reappear throughout McLaughlin’s illustrations, seen engaging in debate, contemplating their political leanings, and learning along with readers. Case studies dig deeper into the material—Keenan profiles Jane Jacobs as a demonstration of active citizenship, and a look at George W. Bush’s first term and the impact of 9/11 touches on the limits of presidential power. While primarily focused on American politics, Keenan weaves in global topics, such as the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, which is used as an example of the influence of public opinion. It’s a demystifying resource that encourages readers to take interest and take action. Ages 10–14.

July 15, 2015
An optimistically presented introduction to politics, mostly American, for those who don't even vote. This thorough look (some might ungenerously call it wordy) at citizen participation in the political process has an emphasis on the United States but also draws examples from a few other countries. (It tends to shy away from getting explicit about tin-pot dictatorships and other authoritarian governments, rarely naming them.) Keenan writes that "this book will explain how politics works, the role you play, and how you can play that role really well," and to some degree he is successful, as long as he confines himself to representative democracy. He covers such topics as levels of government; policy versus process; rhetoric's expression of emotion, logic, and authority; the importance of navigating conflicts; polarization and selective perception; ideology and the tyranny of the majority; checks, balances, and activism. These are valuable and/or subtle concepts, critical to becoming involved in the next step of informed participation. If Keenan has a tendency to drone on, he also has the smarts to provide illustrative case studies and paints a pretty rosy picture of activism. He admits that politics can be messy, but critically, he fails to mention corruption, pork-barrel riders, and backroom bargaining that has little to do with representation. Choice insights into the larger notion of politics as expressed through government, but the road is long between discerning nuggets. (glossary, sources, acknowledgments, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

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September 1, 2015

Gr 5-8-In this highly accessible introduction to politics, Keenan provides readers with a brief yet relatively thorough overview of how government policy works. Focusing primarily on North American political processes and emphasizing the importance of active, informed citizenship, Keenan explains concepts such as policy vs. process, the ideological spectrum, and the checks and balances built into many democratic systems. Supporting these ideas are real-life case studies and examples both familiar (Malala Yousafzai and her advocacy for girls' education) and lesser known (Jane Jacobs and her city planning activism) that make complex topics more clear and engaging; sidebars, diagrams, and in-text definitions of key words also keep readers involved while breaking up longer passages into more manageable blocks of information. McLaughlin's whimsical color illustrations perfectly suit the narrative by keeping the tone light without detracting from the content. The book's most noticeable drawback, however, is that it's too optimistic; examples from the darker side of politics are lacking, as are non-Western models of government. VERDICT A useful addition to most collections.-Audrey Sumser, Kent State University at Tuscarawas, New Philadelphia, OH

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2015
Grades 5-8 This breezy introduction to becoming politically aware goes down easy, thanks to accessible content that will resonate with most students. Keenan avoids traditional approaches based on systems of government in favor of the compelling argument that, since everyone is affected by politics, everyone, including kids, should be aware of how politics work. He identifies three powerful toolspublic opinion, public rhetoric, and public debateand provides realistic examples and case studies that showcase their effectiveness. These scenarios often feature young activists, including international luminaries as well as local heroes active in grassroots movements, and an entire chapter is dedicated to staying informed, with an added focus on media bias.This offering will be especially powerful when paired with other accounts of social activism, such as Malala Yousafzai's I Am Malala (2014) or Paula Yoo's Twenty-Two Cents (2014). Politics can be a dense, complex topic, and this logical, relevant approach, combined with realistic suggestions on how to get involved, makes for an engaging alternative to standardized texts and just might spark some political careers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)