Timely but neither judicious nor able to offer much historical perspective.
A panegyric profile of Ukraine’s Putin-defying president.
Expertly whipping a few morsels of information drawn exclusively from English-language news stories and recent interviews into a puff pastry of praise, Nardo tracks his subject’s career from law student to stand-up comedian, dancer, and popular media star—playing, in one TV show, an idealistic high school teacher who is catapulted into the presidency on the strength of a viral video rant. Apparently widely identified with that character, he went on to win a real presidential election in 2019 and, along with taking on corrupt oligarchs, responded to the Russian invasion in February 2022 by unexpectedly proving himself to be very effective at leading with great resolve the defense of his country and inviting, the author notes, comparisons with Winston Churchill in the Second World War. And if this account only covers events up to early July 2022 and so leaves off with the invasion’s outcome much in doubt, it vigorously argues the case that Zelenskyy, who is conscious of the world’s gaze and the importance of defending democracy, is the right person for this role. Unlike the skimpy assortment of public photos showing him posing in war zones or with his wife (but not children) and various world leaders, the backmatter offers young hero worshippers and report writers sources and resources aplenty.
Timely but neither judicious nor able to offer much historical perspective. (source notes, timeline, further research, index, picture credits) (Biography. 12-18)Pub Date: Dec. 15, 2022
ISBN: 9781678204907
Page Count: 64
Publisher: ReferencePoint Press
Review Posted Online: Nov. 28, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Small but mighty necessary reading.
A miniature manifesto for radical queer acceptance that weaves together the personal and political.
Eli, a cis gay white Jewish man, uses his own identities and experiences to frame and acknowledge his perspective. In the prologue, Eli compares the global Jewish community to the global queer community, noting, “We don’t always get it right, but the importance of showing up for other Jews has been carved into the DNA of what it means to be Jewish. It is my dream that queer people develop the same ideology—what I like to call a Global Queer Conscience.” He details his own isolating experiences as a queer adolescent in an Orthodox Jewish community and reflects on how he and so many others would have benefitted from a robust and supportive queer community. The rest of the book outlines 10 principles based on the belief that an expectation of mutual care and concern across various other dimensions of identity can be integrated into queer community values. Eli’s prose is clear, straightforward, and powerful. While he makes some choices that may be divisive—for example, using the initialism LGBTQIAA+ which includes “ally”—he always makes clear those are his personal choices and that the language is ever evolving.
Small but mighty necessary reading. (resources) (Nonfiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-09368-9
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change.
Testa’s connection to and respect for nature compelled her to begin championing animal causes at the age of 10, and this desire to have an impact later propelled her to dedicate her life to fighting plastic pollution. Starting with the history of plastic and how it’s produced, Testa acknowledges the benefits of plastics for humanity but also the many ways it harms our planet. Instead of relying on recycling—which is both insufficient and ineffective—she urges readers to follow two additional R’s: “refuse” and “raise awareness.” Readers are encouraged to do their part, starting with small things like refusing to use plastic straws and water bottles and eventually working up to using their voices to influence business and policy change. In the process, she highlights other youth advocates working toward the same cause. Short chapters include personal examples, such as observations of plastic pollution in Mauritius, her maternal grandparents’ birthplace. Testa makes her case not only against plastic pollution, but also for the work she’s done, resulting in something of a college-admissions–essay tone. Nevertheless, the first-person accounts paired with science will have an impact on readers. Unfortunately, no sources are cited and the lack of backmatter is a missed opportunity.
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change. (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-22333-8
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
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