It's Our World, Too!: Stories of Young People Who Are Making a Difference

Both a history and a handbook, this highly inspirational and engaging book will help jump-start readers who yearn to take a stand against injustice or otherwise long to make a difference. A dozen-odd case studies profile children and teens of both sexes from a variety of ethnic backgrounds who had the courage to act on their convictions: among them are 12-year-old Norvell Smith, who stood up to gang pressure at her inner-city school; Justin Lebo, who at age 10 began using his allowance to buy and rebuild junker bicycles, and then give them away to needy children; and 15-year-old Joel Rubin, who, in protest of drift net fishing practices, spearheaded a boycott of a major corporation that resulted in ``dolphin safe'' tuna. Other youths here have taken on city hall, saved wetlands from developers and spoken out against war. An introductory chapter primes the audience with a succint overview of young activists in history, from those who served as conductors on the Underground Railroad to the ``newsies'' of 1899, who took on the newspaper magnates in a fight for fair wages. The final section of the book, fittingly, is a hands-on approach to mounting a personal campaign, with specific advice on such measures as starting a boycott, lobbying government officials and raising funds--and how to do it all with creativity and flair. This absorbing and energizing book deserves shelf space in every classroom and library. Ages 10-up. (June)