Better Together: Creating Community in an Uncertain World

by Nikki Tate

Overview

Better Together explores how people gather in groups of all kinds to fulfill the basic human need for companionship.

From the smallest units of parents, siblings and friends to global organizations that try to build on a foundation of common human experience to meet their goals, people working together are a powerful force for change. Too often, we look at someone and see all the ways we are different. People all around the world come together to build things, teach and entertain each other, and provide everything from better health care to good food to security and education. Better Together examines the many ways we are the same, no matter where we live.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459813007
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	04/03/2018
Series:	Orca Footprints Series , #13
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.44(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Nikki Tate is the author of more than 30 books, most of which are for children and teens. Her Footprints title, Deep Roots: How Trees Sustain Our Planet, received several award nominations and was named by the New York Public Library as one of 2016’s Best 100 Books for Kids. She lives in Canmore, Alberta.

Table of Contents

Introduction 6

Chapter 1 The First Community

Welcome to the World 8

The Essentials 8

So Many Kinds of Families 9

I Choose You! 10

Best Friends Forever 10

First Friends 11

Time for School 11

It's the Law! 12

Chapter 2 In The 'Hood

Meet Your Neighbors 14

Lifestyle Communities 14

Online Communities 16

Working Together 18

Choose Your Friends Carefully 20

Places We Don't Want to Be 20

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow 22

Let's Create a Village! 24

Chapter 3 Go big!

Religion 26

Racial and Ethnic Identities 28

LGBTQ Community 30

When Tensions Rise Between Groups 32

I Love My Country 33

Who's In and Who's Out? 34

Chapter 4 Around The Globe

United Nations: Bringing the World Together 36

International Committee of the Red Cross 38

Global Collaboration 39

Do You Understand Me? 39

Finding a Common Cause 40

Long-Distance Partnerships 40

Beyond Ourselves 42

Conclusion 43

Resources 44

Acknowledgments 45

Glossary 46

Index 47

Editorial Reviews

"This book with its high quality text, well-researched content, graphics, photography resources, glossary and index is highly recommended for both school and public libraries. It would make a wonderful gift for any school age child. Better Together is an excellent starting point for individual or group projects on self and community."

Resource Links

"Students looking for a broad introduction to the wide-ranging topic of cultures and communities will find a good launching point in this photo-rich volume, and the closing list of resources might help steer further research."

Booklist

"There is considerable research, as well as detail based on the author's personal experiences, making this book a worthwhile addition to the series…Recommended."

CM Magazine

"Tate did her research and presents it in a way that is both informational and inspiring…Students will enjoy the many excellent photos…A teacher sharing just one idea might inspire the class to take a step toward a community project that will unite and inspire others to do the same."

Sal's Fiction Addiction

"Students looking for a broad introduction to the wide-ranging topic of cultures and communities will find a good launching point in this photo-rich volume, and the closing list of resources might help steer further research."

Booklist

03/01/2018
Gr 4–9—Tate focuses on a collection of groups and initiatives that work to make the world a better place on a daily basis. The book reflects on different types of families, communities, organizations, and causes, both historical and modern. The photographs are inclusive of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and nationality. There are a number of spotlight sections called "Love This!" that spotlight encouraging stories around the world, and "Community Facts" provide a short snippet of trivia surrounding some aspect of community. A number of print and online resources are provided, along with a sizable glossary. Readers will find this book helpful in understanding different types of communities and organizations and in finding new ways to get involved in making the world a better place to live. VERDICT A good purchase for libraries looking to expand their collection of titles surrounding community and becoming active in organizations.—Kristin Unruh, Siersma Elementary School, Warren, MI

School Library Journal

2018-01-13
Families, friends, communities, social groups, international organizations: these are the social structures that can enable people to lead full, rich lives.Canadian author Tate contends that "people working together are a powerful force for change." Few would argue with that statement, and she includes many examples from different countries to bolster her thesis, but the book's purported middle-grade audience may have difficulty following her argument. Sophisticated readers may be able to negotiate the many important topics covered, but personal references and odd facts detract from the narrative thrust. In speaking about friendship, the author writes about her daughter's childhood friend's becoming her maid of honor (illustrated with a picture of the two smiling white women at said wedding). This seems appropriate for informal conversation but not this text. On the next page, an engaging picture of brown-skinned twins is captioned with information about "cryptophasia," the special language developed by some twins—interesting information, but it feels somehow out of left field. Sidebars entitled "I Believe in Love" throughout the book focus on Tate's life and thoughts about creating a better world through cooperation, openness to new experiences, volunteering, and supporting local and global collaborative efforts. The attractive stock photos celebrating diversity of all kinds invite browsing, but it's difficult to imagine children reading through the text.Most useful for adults who want to encourage youth groups to engage in social action. (resources, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-12)

Kirkus Reviews