It's Your World

September 7, 2015
This earnest compendium by the former (and perhaps future) presidential First Daughter outlines ways that teens and tweens can harness their power for good. Clinton begins each of the book's four sections (It's Your Economy, It's Your Right, It's Your Body, It's Your Environment) with an overview of problemsâhomelessness, gender discrimination, disease, pollutionâand clearly explains how perniciously interconnected so many of them are: poverty results in hunger, which affects school performance, which undermines employability. She highlights young people who have already done extraordinary things to improve their communities, then enumerates several opportunities available to readers: fundraising to build wells, patronizing restaurants that participate in food giveaways, donating hair to make wigs for kids with cancer. She also shares some tidbits of personal historyâher aversion to corporal punishment stems from being paddled in elementary school after a classmate tricked her into saying a bad word to a beloved teacher. Clinton clearly paid attention to her parents' discussions at the dinner table, and she capably shares the lessons they imparted about the future impact of what we do in the present. Ages 10âup.

November 30, 2015
Writing for children about global social issues, Clinton encourages listeners to get involved and stay informed. She covers topics such as poverty, women’s rights, public health, and the environment in straightforward language suitable for a middle school social studies class. She offers practical ideas that listeners can use to make actual changes. Listening to this audio book is like hearing your favorite young, enthusiastic, and sympathetic teacher educate you about social issues and tell you what you can do to have an impact. Clinton’s voice is pleasant, and she strikes a perfect balance between a conversational tone and clear enunciation. Never sounding overly dramatic, she drives her points with great ease and enthusiasm. Throughout, Clinton references photos and charts from the book, which are available in a PDF form accompanying the audio edition. These materials are crucial to understanding the main points of the book; listeners are advised to keep them on hand. Ages 10–up. A Philomel hardcover.