A well-intentioned overview of a critical topic that is disappointingly sloppy in execution.
An overview of the ongoing worldwide struggle for women’s suffrage and gender equality.
This slim volume translated from the French highlights notable figures from the past and present, describes obstacles to achieving equal voting rights around the world, covers women in government, and outlines other gender-related challenges facing women and girls today. The style is lively and conversational and complemented by attractive full-color illustrations and hand-drawn infographics. However, the language choices at times feel dismissive, as when niqabis are compared to “Zorro or Batman.” Other wording, information, or highlighted examples are confusing, misleading, or incorrect. A strong Western bias pervades the framing of content. Maps show the Global South with a healthy representation of women leaders, yet in describing women heads of government, the book doesn’t name Indira Gandhi; instead it states that “the first woman who often comes to mind is Margaret Thatcher.” Oversimplifications include the elision of the double impact of racism and sexism in describing gender-based wage gaps and the assumption of a gender binary throughout. Confusingly, alongside education, social media, petitions, and similar nonviolent means, explosives and stone-throwing are shown as parts of a “protesters’ toolkit” that might otherwise be understood as inspiration for young activists. The minimal text struggles to cover the ambitious scope, and sources are given for only two studies.
A well-intentioned overview of a critical topic that is disappointingly sloppy in execution. (quiz, glossary, educators’ guide) (Nonfiction. 11-14)Pub Date: Oct. 11, 2022
ISBN: 978-3-907293-72-0
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Helvetiq
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Potentially useful insights for youngsters encountering loss.
Advice on coping with loss, from the death of a family member or a close friend to a beloved pet’s demise to life-changing events such as divorce.
Imperi, a chaplain and thanatologist (“someone who knows about death, dying, grief and loss”), uses her own terminology to distinguish between “deathloss” (“when a person or an animal we love dies”) and “shadowloss” (“the death of something, not someone”). These categories make sense, but kids grieving the death of a loved one may find it difficult to wade through sections about other serious problems. Although the recent pandemic caused many actual deaths, this book describes Covid as a shadowloss, a disrupter of normal life. Imperi mentions a few religious traditions, but the book is primarily concerned with practical ideas and individual experiences. Specific thinking, writing, and creative exercises for moving through the grief process are included. She spotlights five diverse teens, along with their coping strategies for different types of loss; they appear to be composite portraits rather than real individuals. The black-and-white line illustrations and charts throughout will appeal to some, but the boxed affirmations on many pages may feel repetitive to others; the work overall feels a bit like an expanded magazine article. Still, patient readers will likely find guidance—and reassurance.
Potentially useful insights for youngsters encountering loss. (grief journal, glossary, note for caregivers, resources, references, index) (Nonfiction. 11-14)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9781525309656
Page Count: 200
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2024
As in their previous collaborations (Colors of Freedom, Voices of Rape, not reviewed), Bode and Mack portray an issue through the voices of children and adults affected by it. Bode (recently deceased) interviewed preteens, their parents, and adult experts, and organized their responses into parts "For Girls and Boys" and "For Parents." In sections with titles like "Public Recognition" or "What's in Your Heart," her text, addressed directly to the reader, synthesizes many of the responses in a way that should comfort and challenge young and adult readers. At least half of the book is comprised of responses she gathered from her survey, some of which are illustrated in strips by Mack. The result is an engagingly designed book, with questions and topics in bold type so that readers can browse for the recognition they may be looking for. They will need to browse, as there is no index, and young readers will certainly be tempted by the "For Parents" section, and vice versa. A bibliography (with two Spanish titles) and list of Web resources (with mostly live links) will help them seek out more information. They may well have other questions—especially having to do with parents' sexuality—which they don't find answered here, but this is a fine and encouraging place to start. (print and on-line resources) (Non-fiction. 9-13)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-689-81945-5
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2001
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
