Better Together

February 1, 2018
Families, friends, communities, social groups, international organizations: these are the social structures that can enable people to lead full, rich lives.Canadian author Tate contends that "people working together are a powerful force for change." Few would argue with that statement, and she includes many examples from different countries to bolster her thesis, but the book's purported middle-grade audience may have difficulty following her argument. Sophisticated readers may be able to negotiate the many important topics covered, but personal references and odd facts detract from the narrative thrust. In speaking about friendship, the author writes about her daughter's childhood friend's becoming her maid of honor (illustrated with a picture of the two smiling white women at said wedding). This seems appropriate for informal conversation but not this text. On the next page, an engaging picture of brown-skinned twins is captioned with information about "cryptophasia," the special language developed by some twins--interesting information, but it feels somehow out of left field. Sidebars entitled "I Believe in Love" throughout the book focus on Tate's life and thoughts about creating a better world through cooperation, openness to new experiences, volunteering, and supporting local and global collaborative efforts. The attractive stock photos celebrating diversity of all kinds invite browsing, but it's difficult to imagine children reading through the text.Most useful for adults who want to encourage youth groups to engage in social action. (resources, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-12)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 1, 2018

Gr 4-9-Tate focuses on a collection of groups and initiatives that work to make the world a better place on a daily basis. The book reflects on different types of families, communities, organizations, and causes, both historical and modern. The photographs are inclusive of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and nationality. There are a number of spotlight sections called "Love This!" that spotlight encouraging stories around the world, and "Community Facts" provide a short snippet of trivia surrounding some aspect of community. A number of print and online resources are provided, along with a sizable glossary. Readers will find this book helpful in understanding different types of communities and organizations and in finding new ways to get involved in making the world a better place to live. VERDICT A good purchase for libraries looking to expand their collection of titles surrounding community and becoming active in organizations.-Kristin Unruh, Siersma Elementary School, Warren, MI

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2018
Grades 3-6 From the first relationships formed as children to the neighborhoods we grow up in, living in communities both instills a sense of belonging and makes interactions with others a necessity. Young readers will learn about the first bonds they form and the different kinds of families children are a part of, along with the importance school and neighborhood interactions play in growing up to be healthy and confident people. Differences and similarities between cultures are explored as well as the difficulties some groups may face when they are discriminated against. Since this is a slim volume with an expansive scope, there's necessarily only a small space allotted to each section, and that can make the book seem a bit disjointed, especially when personal anecdotes don't always line up with a section's overall topic. That said, students looking for a broad introduction to the wide-ranging topic of cultures and communities will find a good launching point in this photo-rich volume, and the closing list of resources might help steer further research.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)