MORE THAN MONEY

Economic inequality unpacked and explained for teen readers.

Pointing out that economic inequality has an impact on everyone in society, Dyer and Bernard define it, explain how it’s measured, and show how other factors—for example, social status, gender, health, race, and nationality—contribute to it. They focus on the 38 countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Examples, drawn from many of these nations, include some scenarios that will feel familiar to North American readers and others that will broaden their global awareness. The writers argue that while inequality has been a perennial problem since humans developed agriculture, recent trends—automation, globalization, and the financialization of economies—have exacerbated things. Today’s more egalitarian countries, they say, have governments that support middle-class people and assist poorer citizens, resulting in societies that are healthier and safer. Finally, they encourage readers to use what they’ve learned to take action. Each topic is clearly identified with a headline, covered clearly and concisely, and summarized at the end of the chapter. Further sources are incorporated throughout. Though the subject is complex, the physical layout and design of this title are accessible and inviting, with relatively short chunks of text and plentiful drawings, charts, graphs, and white space. While most graphs are sourced, individual facts and figures in context are not.

A solid, thorough introduction to haves and have-nots—and why it matters.