You Are Mighty: A Guide to Changing the World

by Caroline Paul, Lauren Tamaki (Illustrator)

Overview

Being a good citizen means standing up for what’s right—and here’s just the way to start. From the author of The Gutsy Girl, this kids' guide to activism is the perfect book for those with a fierce sense of justice, a good sense of humor, and a big heart. This guide features change-maker tips, tons of DIY activities, and stories about the kids who have paved the way before, from famous activists like Malala Yousafzai and Claudette Colvin to the everyday young people whose habit changes triggered huge ripple effects. So make a sign, write a letter, volunteer, sit-in, or march! There are lots of tactics to choose from, and you’re never too young to change the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681198224
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	05/15/2018
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	1,128,231
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	10 - 12 Years

About the Author

Caroline Paul is the author of the New York Times bestselling The Gutsy Girl: Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure as well as the adult titles Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology; East Wind, Rain; and Fighting Fire. She lives in San Francisco, California.

Lauren Tamaki has illustrated articles for the New York Times, Lena Dunham's Lenny Letters, and the Brooklyn edition of the Wildsam Field Guides. You Are Mighty is her first children's book. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Editorial Reviews

"For kids who are passionate about effecting change and for those who aren't aware of their potential impact, this book is a useful guide for brainstorming and inspiration." - Kirkus Reviews

"Paul encourages readers—girls, specifically—to pursue lives of excitement in a book that blends elements of memoir, guidebook, and journal." - Publishers Weekly

"A guide to changing the world might seem intimidating, but Paul breaks down activism . . . in an easily digestible way. . . . Every public library should purchase a copy to plant the seed or empower teens already active in speaking up for injustice." - School Library Journal

"The perfect book for young feminists, or really any woman who needs a dose of inspiration in her life . . . Viva la Gutsy Girl!" - Buzzfeed

"Part high-energy how-to guide, part hilarious memoir, and part interactive adventure journal designed to help girls of all ages build confidence, pluck, and bravery by venturing outside." - Outside Magazine

"Delightful . . . There’s a lot here that will thrill any girl—or boy—of any age." - The San Francisco Chronicle

"Caroline Paul’s inspiring and sometimes astonishing stories of the adventures that she and other great women have undertaken, alongside Wendy MacNaughton’s beautiful illustrations, make The Gutsy Girl the book of the year for daredevils, doers, and dreamers of all ages." - Cheryl Strayed, author of WILD

From the Publisher

03/01/2018
Gr 6 Up—A guide to changing the world might seem intimidating, but Paul breaks down activism for teens in an easily digestible way. Organized on a scale of least intimidating to the most, topics include creating protest signs and letter-writing campaigns, shooting videos, and organizing marches. Tamaki's sketched illustrations complement and enhance the writing. Paul is a realist; she does not shy away from discussing privilege and the court system in her approach to how a teen might change the world. And with a series of questions at the end of each chapter, readers are spurred to action by verbalizing their cause. The book is well executed and tidy in a utilitarian way. It is not looking for an argument but harnessing the power and voice of a newer generation based on the historical value placed on age-old approaches and how new ones have fared. Real-life examples punctuate each element in the guide; for instance, Tokata Iron Eyes and her friends use of hashtags to spread their petition about the Dakota Access Pipeline. Simply put, what once was straightforward petitioning can now be capitalized through social media. VERDICT Every public library should purchase a copy to plant the seed or empower teens already active in speaking up for injustice.—Alicia Abdul, Albany High School, NY

School Library Journal

2018-03-04
The author of The Gutsy Girl (2016, illustrated by Wendy MacNaughton) addresses young would-be activists in this how-to manual for effecting change in the world.Paul opens her book with a letter addressed to young readers in which she connects children's determination to stand up for their personal likes and dislikes to their power to change the world. She then lists 18 actions people of all ages can take to stand up for causes they believe in, from the small ("Change Your Habits," "Make a Protest Sign," "Petition," "Volunteer," "Raise Money," "Write a Letter") to the large ("Perform Guerilla Theater," "Invent Something," "Take Them to Court," "March," "Walk Out," "Just Sit Down"). Each section features true stories of people as young as 6 who took these actions on issues they cared about and had their voices heard. Each section also includes a "workbook" section, with a list of steps to take in order to complete the action. Interspersed throughout are "Activist Tips" that explain terms such as "escalate," "privilege," "intersectionality" and "direct action." Paul makes a point of encouraging people with privilege to take the stance of an ally rather than speaking for disadvantaged groups. She also cautions readers to understand the potential repercussions of direct action, "especially if you are a kid of color." As clear and responsible as the author is, young readers may still need adult guidance to understand how these sections apply to their lives. Tamaki's loose black-and-white illustrations include children of many races and at least one woman wearing a hijab.For kids who are passionate about effecting change and for those who aren't aware of their potential impact, this book is a useful guide for brainstorming and inspiration. (further reading) (Nonfiction. 9-13)

Kirkus Reviews