A meticulous and captivating account of the fight for civil rights.
An unraveling of the historical tapestry of the Fourteenth Amendment’s genesis, evolution, and impact.
This overview is structured into three parts, “The Constitution,” “The Supreme Court” and “The People,” each containing several chapters that explore different aspects of rights and citizenship. Bajramovic opens with the full text of the amendment and an introduction that briefly explains why it “may be the most important amendment”: “Though it never fully achieved its aims, the story of the Fourteenth Amendment and the many people who fought for its ideals shows us how we can continue to work toward true equality.” The author examines how citizenship has evolved under the Fourteenth Amendment and how it intersects with various factors such as race, gender, immigration status, and sexual orientation. Landmark Supreme Court cases in which justices issued rulings based on their personal biases and interpretations of the Fourteenth Amendment demonstrate how fickle the law can be. To counter this weakness, the author emphasizes the importance of “community activism, organizing, or working to change public narratives”—actions that go beyond simply making minor changes within the framework of unjust systems. Bajramovic’s thorough research and accessible writing make this an important resource for readers interested in understanding the complexities of constitutional law and the ongoing struggles for civil rights and social justice. Photos, infographics, and text boxes supplement the main narrative.
A meticulous and captivating account of the fight for civil rights. (selected bibliography, endnotes, infographic sources, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: June 25, 2024
ISBN: 9781250225276
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: April 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2024
PERSPECTIVES
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
© Copyright 2025 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.
