A useful and organized jumping-off point for discussion.
This primer on the Donald J. Trump presidency covers most of the major controversies of his first three years in office.
This straightforward reference book explains Trump’s election and divisive personality and offers a quick look at most of the biggest issues of his presidency, particularly foreign policy, immigration, economics, and the environment. The author explains complex topics clearly, making them easy for young people—as well as less-informed adults—to understand, and the volume succinctly fulfills its purpose as a summary of the major occurrences of the presidency. Throughout, insets provide brief discussions of more specific topics, such as steel tariffs, renewable energy, and the travel ban directed at certain predominantly Muslim countries. The author is painstakingly neutral, ending each chapter with a paragraph that is essentially a pro and con treatment of Trump’s actions regarding the issue at hand. The attempt to present information without bias is noble, yet the resulting equivocation will likely fail to satisfy either supporters or opponents. Parents and teachers will wish to make this just one of several texts used to explore the Trump presidency. Additionally, conspicuous and even irresponsible in its absence are any discussion of Trump’s views, comments, and actions regarding women or the various responses of women to his presidency.
A useful and organized jumping-off point for discussion. (source notes, further reading, index, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: April 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68282-759-8
Page Count: 80
Publisher: ReferencePoint Press
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Small but mighty necessary reading.
A miniature manifesto for radical queer acceptance that weaves together the personal and political.
Eli, a cis gay white Jewish man, uses his own identities and experiences to frame and acknowledge his perspective. In the prologue, Eli compares the global Jewish community to the global queer community, noting, “We don’t always get it right, but the importance of showing up for other Jews has been carved into the DNA of what it means to be Jewish. It is my dream that queer people develop the same ideology—what I like to call a Global Queer Conscience.” He details his own isolating experiences as a queer adolescent in an Orthodox Jewish community and reflects on how he and so many others would have benefitted from a robust and supportive queer community. The rest of the book outlines 10 principles based on the belief that an expectation of mutual care and concern across various other dimensions of identity can be integrated into queer community values. Eli’s prose is clear, straightforward, and powerful. While he makes some choices that may be divisive—for example, using the initialism LGBTQIAA+ which includes “ally”—he always makes clear those are his personal choices and that the language is ever evolving.
Small but mighty necessary reading. (resources) (Nonfiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-09368-9
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change.
Testa’s connection to and respect for nature compelled her to begin championing animal causes at the age of 10, and this desire to have an impact later propelled her to dedicate her life to fighting plastic pollution. Starting with the history of plastic and how it’s produced, Testa acknowledges the benefits of plastics for humanity but also the many ways it harms our planet. Instead of relying on recycling—which is both insufficient and ineffective—she urges readers to follow two additional R’s: “refuse” and “raise awareness.” Readers are encouraged to do their part, starting with small things like refusing to use plastic straws and water bottles and eventually working up to using their voices to influence business and policy change. In the process, she highlights other youth advocates working toward the same cause. Short chapters include personal examples, such as observations of plastic pollution in Mauritius, her maternal grandparents’ birthplace. Testa makes her case not only against plastic pollution, but also for the work she’s done, resulting in something of a college-admissions–essay tone. Nevertheless, the first-person accounts paired with science will have an impact on readers. Unfortunately, no sources are cited and the lack of backmatter is a missed opportunity.
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change. (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-22333-8
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
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