School Library Journal - Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst

The action plan is similar in each title, but because each author is active in the area she covers, these books are specific about problems and issues youngsters may face in trying to effect change in particular situations. All are successful in breaking down the process into doable steps. Suggestions include brainstorming ideas for what to tackle (school, community, state, national, or global); doing research to learn more about the problem and to discover who may be able to make changes (community leaders, political representatives, etc.); setting a goal and making a plan (including who else needs to be involved, possibly the media); and putting it into action. Throughout, profiles are interspersed of kids who recognized a problem and came up with a plan to address it. Color photographs of these people and descriptions of their successful projects will inspire readers. The authors use an involving, conversational style, although it sometimes results in sentence fragments. However, their approach is effective and sets readers up for success. With regard to research, they discuss biased versus objective sources and note the importance of respecting varying opinions. They warn kids that people may disagree with what they are doing, and how research and preparation will help them state their cases in a calm, mature manner. These titles will help to empower young people who often feel frustrated at their perceived lack of control over their environment to step out of their routine and truly make a difference. Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA