How I Resist

March 19, 2018
Candor and passion radiate from the 30 voices raised in this trenchant and timely compendium of interviews, essays, reflections, illustrations, and poems. Representing a range of ethnicities, sexual orientations, professional achievements, and—most intriguingly—personalities, the contributors share their own experiences encountering, and countering, various forms of injustice, and encourage readers to speak out and act against the same. The collection encompasses the contemplative (novelist Rebecca Roanhorse writes, “Live authentic to who you are.... Because you being you is the most powerful kind of resistance of all”) to the practical (Rock the Vote’s president Carolyn DeWitt pinpoints five ways that teens can engage in politics before they turn 18). Profound frustration with the Trump administration stokes the emotional quotient of numerous entries, including that of Javier Muñoz, who played the title role in Hamilton on Broadway. Readers will also hear notes of hope about their generation’s power to effect change, expressed eloquently, if conditionally, by author Jason Reynolds: “there’s a generational groundswell of young people who together are impenetrable—if all of us are doing our jobs by giving them the necessary legs.” This volume takes an assured step in that direction. Ages 12–up. Agent: Kate Testerman, KT Literary.

March 15, 2018
Grades 8-11 As America struggles with vast political, cultural, and social divides, Federle and Johnson pull together a wide variety of authors, artists, and activists to try to make anecdotal sense of it all. As Federle bluntly writes in an intro, Yes, so, like hundreds of billions of woke Americans (number not confirmed), I'd been feeling restless and helpless and confused after Hillary's loss. So what can teens do? Readers will find that resistance can take many different shapes and forms?and you don't even have to be old enough to vote. Jason Reynolds talks about how teens can unplug to prevent being inundated with information. Dana Schwartz touches on her own experiences growing up in a Jewish community. Interspersed within such essays are important poems, art, and music, from which readers can draw inspiration to make mistakes, start over, try something new, and keep a positive outlook on life no matter what harsh circumstances occur. This book will be a light in the darkness for some, and help guide them from despair.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

April 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-In an anthology for young adults discontented with today's political climate and looking to take action, Johnson has pulled together a lineup of authors that are sure to excite teens, from Jason Reynolds to Hamilton actor Javier Mu�oz. There are interviews, poems, artwork, sheet music, comics, lists, calls to action, and short stories. The topics are varied as well, each speaking to a different kind of activism. One message is clear: no one is too young to have a voice and to make a difference. Multiple authors call out the current presidential administration and speak to feelings of hopelessness about the 2016 presidential election. The overarching theme of activism and resistance transcend this one election, calling young adults to take action now and make the future different than the past. VERDICT The editor has done an exceptional job calling on different voices to share their wisdom and thoughts on making a difference. A worthy addition to YA collections.-Kat Paiva, Rye Public Library, NH

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2018
The activism that has ignited our nation has found its way into the pages of this anthology, one that offers a platform to 30 activists from many walks of life.Rock the Vote president Carolyn DeWitt offers a list of ways teens can become politically active before they turn 18. Broadway star Javier Muoz gives an interview in which he discusses his feelings about today's political climate and how it intersects with the play Hamilton. Speaking about her experiences with disability, Glee actor Ali Stroker describes her approaches to advocating for her needs and articulating her hopes to the able-bodied world. Author Rebecca Roanhorse writes about the many ways there are to be an activist, emphasizing the diversity of effective approaches. Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his husband, Justin Mikita, discuss the importance of being visible as allies and encourage teens to get involved with their schools' gay-straight alliances. Comedian Rosie O'Donnell offers five empowering and accessible tools a teen can use for resistance. This is an impactful, contemporary guide to activism that gives voices to individuals who are making a difference in today's tumultuous social climate.A useful classroom tool that will generate discussion around topics that matter to many young people today. (Nonfiction anthology. 14-18)

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