A thoughtful, engaging, bad-ass crash course in moxie, self-confidence, and self-love.
An illustrated self-empowerment manual for teens.
A bitch, according to Bondy’s introduction, is a powerhouse, an agent of change who threatens the status quo in service of their personal well-being and for the greater good. The Difficult Bitch commandments read, in part, that Difficult Bitches shall “break boundaries for a better world,” “stand up for themselves,” and “own up,” and shall not “worry about haters,” “back down,” or “be petty.” Bondy and her co-authors are thorough and intentional about addressing the particular experiences and concerns of people of color and people with disabilities. They write that “people of any gender identity can be a Difficult Bitch and take the advice in this book.” And what great, comprehensive advice it is. This slim volume packs a lot of wisdom, with chapters on body image; school; stress; internet safety; pursuing extracurricular passions; and more. The chapter on activism is a standout, as is the one covering money, employment, entrepreneurship, and personal finance. Every topic is presented with sections labeled “hypothetical,” real-world scenarios followed by guidance that reflects the nuance and complexity of situations teens may find themselves in. The authors explore these critical topics in frank, compelling, and humorous ways. They address issues that matter to teen girls with deep empathy and age-appropriate language and without being condescending or preachy.
A thoughtful, engaging, bad-ass crash course in moxie, self-confidence, and self-love. (further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: April 5, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5415-8675-8
Page Count: 152
Publisher: Zest Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 10, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 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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