Publishers Weekly
08/15/2022
Debut author Porsche Joseph and Frederick Joseph (The Black Friend), a married couple, endeavor to “let young people see themselves as vital changemakers” so they “will make vital change” in this affecting work. Using an approachable first-person narration, the Josephs tackle a wide range of topics, including the climate crisis and environmental racism, wealth gaps, and gun violence. Conversations with experts in their respective fields, such as Keah Brown on the dangers of ableism and Chelsea Clinton discussing disinformation, feature throughout, combining to provide a “deeper and more intersectional lens through which to view these vital topics.” In “We Have Money for War but Won’t Feed the Poor,” for example, humanitarian Amed Khan outlines his experiences working with refugees while navigating the U.S.’s military-industrial complex. These interviews elevate what would otherwise read as a familiar contribution to the expanding canon of social activism narratives. Though the creators note that many of the topics discussed can cause discomfort, they argue that it is only through this discomfort that real change can occur. While maintaining a warmth and sense of hope that keeps readers engaged, this worthy read offers necessary deep dives into relevant topics. A glossary and source notes conclude. Ages 12–up. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
While this material is both accessible and enlightening, the most compelling parts of the book are when the co-authors share personal experiences. They tell stories about events they've witnessed, recalling their emotions and reactions, and explaining the lasting effects. . . . Whether considered individually or taken as a whole, these crucial topics will shape the future, and the Josephs want readers to be ready to join the conversation.
—Booklist (starred review)
Using an approachable first-person narration, the Josephs tackle a wide range of topics, including the climate crisis and environmental racism, wealth gaps, and gun violence. . . . While maintaining a warmth and sense of hope that keeps readers engaged, this worthy read offers necessary deep dives into relevant topics.
—Publishers Weekly
Perfect for anyone interested in helping others or getting involved to help the current generation be better and more informed. . . . The matters are current and provide a tell-tale sign of the times for future readers to consider.
—School Library Connection
Now more than ever, young people yearn to drastically change the world, and the question so many of them pose is how? The Josephs have not only provided answers to the hows but also the whys and the why nows. Better Than We Found It is the manual for change that every young and not-so-young activist-in-the-making needs. This book will empower a generation.
—Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give
Better Than We Found It is an unflinching and incisive clarion call, road map, and lighthouse guiding us toward social change and collective liberation in these tough times. Fred and Porsche Joseph demand that we dig deeper into the rotted roots of injustice in order to stand tall on the mighty shoulders of our revolutionary predecessors. Vital and radically profound!
—Ibi Zoboi, New York Times best-selling author and coauthor of Punching the Air
This is a text that not only debunks the myth that certain topics are ‘too complex’ for young people but also breaks said topics down in a way that young people can understand, identify with, discuss . . . and push back against. Should be required reading for every high schooler in America.
—Nic Stone, author of Dear Martin
Delivering clear, approachable, and intentional messaging, Better Than We Found It enables its audience to understand the biggest issues of our time in order to reflect, repurpose, and revolutionize our future. Serving as the catalyst to understanding so many of the crises facing our current generation of young people, Better Than We Found It is THE essential bread-crumb trail to initiate readers’ understanding of the widespread inequalities in our world and to help them do something about them. Better Than We Found It is an invitation to safeguard the future, a powerful and accessible book that empowers readers to disengage from detrimental systems of regressive inequity in order to build a progressive and hopeful tomorrow.
—Willy and Jo Lorenz, writers and cofounders of the Progressivists
Insightful, heartfelt, and informed, Better Than We Found It lives up to its name.
—Dr. Anton Treuer, educator and author of Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask
In this comprehensive, intersectional callout of inequitable systems and institutions, the Josephs call us in, focusing our attention on not only what is important to fight against but also what is critical to fight for. This book is urgent, as is the work we each must do to dismantle oppressive forces that work to divide and destroy us.
—Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul, educator and coauthor of Stamped (for Kids)
Better Than We Found It is a singular guide to making the world just that—better than we found it. But with so much going wrong, it can be hard to know where to start. Through intimate interviews with some of the most impactful leaders of today, the Josephs weave a powerful guide for the next generation, empowering them to understand and take on some of today’s biggest challenges. This book will leave you fired up and ready to be the change.
—Ben O’Keefe, social change activist and political commentator
Not only does this book touch on how to get involved in the climate crisis, it also gives advice for how to help take action on systemic racism, transphobia, the housing crisis, and more. It’s not only for young readers, and it’s a great place to start for dozens of interviews with current activists and politicians on how to get involved on the issues that matter most.
—Book Riot
#1 New York Times bestselling author Angie Thomas
This book will empower a generation.”
#1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone
Should be required reading for every high schooler in America.”
FEBRUARY 2023 - AudioFile
Narrating this highly personal audiobook about the biggest social issues of our day, Cary Hite and Deanna Anthony sound so in sync with the authors’ message that many listeners will look twice to make sure it isn’t the authors performing. The narrators take turns delivering the chapters (written alternately by the two authors) and provide the panache needed for listeners to absorb these perspectives. A notable feature of the writing is the placement of interviews in each chapter with people relevant to the chapter’s focus. Both narrators deliver the interview conversations within the other’s chapters when a gender match is needed. From discrimination to gun violence, health care to climate change, this is an important audio for those wanting to make the world a better place. T.W. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2022-07-27
A personal guide to social justice.
Married couple Porsche and Frederick Joseph team up to introduce a teen audience to some of the most important topics facing this country and the world. Dividing the chapters between themselves, each author includes a long personal narrative in which they share stories from their lives or the lives of their friends interspersed with historical and political context. Each chapter ends with interviews with famous people involved in the different issues, for example, Julián Castro on housing security, Chelsea Clinton on disinformation, and Mari Copeny on water access. The issues are all crucial, but despite the emphasis on change, the text feels more overwhelming than inspiring. Each chapter encourages readers to go to an online tool kit (unavailable at the time of review); the actions named in the book are largely on an individual scale and focus heavily on language and social media posts. The chapters that hew closely to the authors’ own experiences are stronger than those that don’t; for example, the chapters on student debt and the military-industrial complex are fascinating and thorough, while the one on homophobia focuses exclusively on cis gay men, and the one about gender identity features two trans women and one cis man. The broad range of topics covered makes what is missing or given only glancing mention (e.g., antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian racism, and reproductive rights) more glaring.
A mostly useful resource. (interview with the authors, glossary, source notes, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)