Book Descriptions
for The Kid's Guide to Social Action by Barbara A. Lewis
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
This well-organized, accessible handbook intended for young people who want to make a change was written by a Salt Lake City elementary school teacher whose writing expresses implicit confidence in and respect for young people. The attractively designed, step-by-step guide moves logically from uncomplicated forms of action to more sophisticated approaches to social change and yet presents a realistic picture of the hard work necessary to effect such change. The manual is organized into five main parts: (1) Life beyond the Classroom (e.g. brainstorming, reflecting on what you have learned); (2) Power Skills (communication skills, responsible Internet use, petitions, fundraising); (3) Working with Government (e.g. changing a law, lobbying); (4) Resources (e.g. addresses for state capitals, federal government agencies, environmental groups); and (5) Tools (various forms). Each section contains Kids in Action articles illustrated with black- and-white photographs featuring actual recent episodes in which today's youth became effective change agents. The author has given persmission on specific pages to duplicate them for use. Readers will find a large number of website addresses throughout this substantial resource for individuals, school and community youth groups and their leaders, classrooms, and libraries. This is a welcome revision of the edition recommended in CCBC Choices 1991. (Age 9-adult)
CCBC Choices 1998. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 1998. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
You can get involved, get noticed, and get results! In THE KIDS'S GUIDE TO SOCIAL ACTION, you'll find: Real stories about real kids and teens who are making a difference at home and around the world; Step-by-step guides to social action Power Skills: letter-writing, faxing, emailing, Internet research, interviewing speechmaking, surveying, fundraising, getting and handling media coverage, and more; Ideas for working with government, including tips for lobbying local, state, and federal lawmakers, and for using your social action skills with the courts; Real social action tools, ready to copy and use, including petitions, proclamations, letters, and news releases; An up-to-date resource guide with addresses, phone numbers, and Web sites for other social action groups, federal and state government offices, and awards and recognitions for kids. Designed for kids to use on their own and at their own pace, THE KID'S GUIDE TO SOCIAL ACTION is also ideal for schools, clubs, groups, troops, and other youth organizations.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.