WATCH THIS SPACE
Designing, Defending and Sharing Public Spaces
by Hadley Dyer and illustrated by Marc Ngui
Dyer believes that kids have an important stake in how public space is used because they do not have their own truly private spaces. She tackles her broad subject by examining various subtopics in a column, page or double-page spread. This allows her to cover a variety of issues including age discrimination, bicycle commuting, sexual harassment and urban design. Examples from different nations are a welcome reminder of the diversity of possible approaches to common human concerns. Some may feel that the author’s efforts to be inclusive combined with the book’s design is a bit scattershot; others will enjoy the magazine-style snippets of information and opinion. The text is direct, conversational and colloquial. Ngui’s illustrations both extend and punctuate the text and range from stylized black-and-white spot art to full-color depictions of specific places and times. While this topic may not be on most tweens’ radar, the kinds of problems addressed, from unfair curfews to unsafe streets, are surely familiar to many, and the book’s straightforward examination may empower them to take positive action. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)