________________ CM . . . . Volume XVI Number 25. . . .March 5, 2010.

cover

Animal Rights Activist. (Get Involved!).

Carrie Gleason.
St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010.
32 pp., pbk. & hc., $9.95 (pbk.), $20.76 (hc.).
ISBN 978-0-7787-4705-5 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4693-5 (RLB.).

Subject Headings:
Animal rights activists-Juvenile literature.
Animal rights-Juvenile literature.
Animal welfare-Juvenile literature.

Grades 4-6 / Ages 9-11.

Review by Suzanne Pierson.

***½/4

   
cover

Environmental Activist. (Get Involved!).

Carrie Gleason.
St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010.
32 pp., pbk. & hc., $9.95 (pbk.), $20.76 (hc.).
ISBN 978-0-7787-4706-2 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4694-2 (RLB.).

Subject Headings:
Environmentalists-Juvenile literature.
Environmentalism-Juvenile literature.
Environmental protection-Juvenile literature.

Grades 4-6 / Ages 9-11.

Review by Suzanne Pierson.

***½/4

cover

Human Rights Activist. (Get Involved!).

Ellen Rodger.
St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010.
32 pp., pbk. & hc., $9.95 (pbk.), $20.76 (hc.).
ISBN 978-0-7787-4707-9 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4695-9 (RLB.).

Subject Headings:
Human rights workers-Juvenile literature.
Human rights-Juvenile literature.
Human rights-History-Juvenile literature.

Grades 4-6 / Ages 9-11.

Review by Suzanne Pierson.

***½/4

cover

Social Justice Activist. (Get Involved!).

Ellen Rodger & Jon Eben Field.
St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010.
32 pp., pbk. & hc., $9.95 (pbk.), $20.76 (hc.).
ISBN 978-0-7787-4708-6 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4696-6 (RLB.).

Subject Headings:
Social reformers-Juvenile literature.
Social justice-Juvenile literature.
Social action-Juvenile literature.

Grades 4-6 / Ages 9-11.

Review by Suzanne Pierson.

***½/4

   

 



excerpt:

Don’t just sit there!

Human rights activists have learned that doing nothing protects human rights abusers. Activists do not wait on the sidelines and watch while people are being harmed. They believe they have to act! Actions can be as small as speaking out or as large as organizing a rally.
(From Human Rights Activists.)



“Get Involved!” is a series of four books written to inform and inspire readers to action. Examples from around the world, including Canada, show children how to become a positive advocate and how to peacefully change the world. This series focuses on rights and responsibilities of each person for the world, its people, and animals. Each book begins with a table of contents, defines and examines the topic in the body of the work, and concludes with sections titled “In the trenches,” “What you can do,” and a section identifying prominent interest groups with their websites. A simple glossary and index are also included.

     “Field Notes,” quoting directly the words of everyday activists, such as a high school student who worked to convince her school cafeteria to offer vegetarian and vegan meals, as well as well-known activists from around the world, such as Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ghandi, and Cesar Chavez, are included in the discussions of the topics.


     With the United Farm Workers, Chavez organized strikes and boycotts for better wages and working conditions.

Once social change begins it can not be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person that has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. (From Social Justice Activist.)




     The result is a very readable introductory resource, useful to those who are just beginning to acquire information about social activism, and ways to turn their concerns into action.


     The text is printed black on white pages that appear to be lined foolscap, enhancing the grassroots aspect of the message. Organized with one topic per double page spread, each topic is further divided into several subheadings. “Get Active!” boxes, coloured bright yellow, suggest ways that young readers can take action to address their concerns.

Get Active!

Community gardens

Taking part in a community garden is a great way to learn more about how plants grow –– and how humans depend on nature. A community garden is a garden, often on public land, that many people look after. Everyone shares in planting, watering, and weeding. When the gardens produce vegetables, they are shared by the gardeners. Ask your teacher or principal about planting a community garden at your school.
(From Environmental Activist.)



     Animal Rights Activist includes information on the difference between animal welfare and animal rights. Probably the most controversial of the four topics covered by this series, this volume, like the others, presents the reasons why people choose to become involved in the animal rights movement, while acknowledging that there are two sides to issues such as animal testing.


     Environmental Activist shows how environmentalists try to protect and improve the natural environment. In addition to examining the issue from both a local and a global perspective, environmental justice, the fair treatment of all people regardless of race, culture, or income, is also discussed.


     Human Rights Activist examines the history of human rights and how everyone is entitled to basic human rights, regardless of their age, race, religion, gender, or political beliefs. Genocide, slavery, women’s rights, children’s rights and the creation of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are some of the topics in this volume.


     Social Justice Activist takes a look at what a just society is by examining such topics as poverty, racism, homelessness, and inequality. The struggle for environmental justice is also examined in this volume.


     The strength of this series is the very practical suggestions for actions that the reader can take. Even young readers will feel empowered to make a difference in a peaceful way when they implement one of these suggestions.


     Although written to encourage and facilitate positive action, each book begins by defining the topic, and helping readers self-identify their own area of concern. The wording acknowledges that not everyone will be concerned or inspired to act on each or any of these areas of concern.

Does the sound and sight of a whimpering puppy in a cage make your heart melt? Do you pause to think that the meat you are about to eat was once a living animal? Are you disturbed by the thought of wearing clothing or boots made from animal skins? If so, animal rights activism may be a cause for you to get involved in. (From Animal Rights Activist.)



     One weakness of the series is the omission of any in-depth examination of people with disabilities, both their contributions and the challenges that they face. Perhaps that will be volume five.


     Whether purchased separately or as a series, these four books, with their large, clear black text and beautiful illustrations, will be a very good addition to libraries looking for a way to empower young activists to learn more about the issues and to pursue their concerns in peaceful ways.

Highly Recommended.

Suzanne Pierson, a retired teacher-librarian, is currently instructing Librarianship courses at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
Hosted by the University of Manitoba.
 

NEXT REVIEW | TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE- March 5, 2010.

AUTHORS | TITLES | MEDIA REVIEWS | PROFILES | BACK ISSUES | SEARCH | CMARCHIVE | HOME