A timely and thought-provoking discussion of an urgent humanitarian issue despite the caveats noted.
This ambitious narrative strives to create awareness of the plight of refugees through personal vignettes, salient historical context, and an overview of current worldwide hot spots.
Now-iconic photographs of Pope Francis, Justin Trudeau, Malala Yousafzai, and even a Sesame Street puppet punctuate the text, which is broken down into graphically inviting segments. The immediate launch into the subtopic of climate migration slows the momentum of the opening chapter. The wording of the brief section on Palestinian refugees opens with a patent falsehood—that nearly “one million Palestinians left their homes,” implying a voluntary evacuation. In stark contrast to sections on other refugee groups which contain strongly worded information and evocative quotes from individuals about the suffering and oppression leading to their refugee status, the book is silent on corresponding events endured by Palestinians (who are also excluded from the index). The irony of the chapter title “Welcome to the United States” becomes obvious in the enumeration of the vetting process for potential refugees. Frequent in-line definitions of words disrupt the readability; expanding the glossary would have streamlined the narrative. Profiles of individual refugees, particularly success stories such as Rep. Ilhan Omar, put a human face on the subject. A map, infographic, and sidebars provide important contextual information. The book concludes with suggestions for ways readers can help refugees in their communities.
A timely and thought-provoking discussion of an urgent humanitarian issue despite the caveats noted. (source notes, glossary, bibliography, further information, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: April 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5415-2811-6
Page Count: 132
Publisher: Twenty-First Century/Lerner
Review Posted Online: Jan. 13, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2019
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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