Lewis, Barbara A. The Teen Guide to Global Action: How to Connect with Others (Near & Far) to Create Social Change. 2008. 135 pp. $12.95. Free Spirit. 978-1-57542-266-4 / 1-57542-266-2. Ages 12 & Up.
This guide is designed for teens and young adults who are interested in getting involved in activism and social justice issues. The book contains introductory chapters on why to get involved, how to find and research a cause, planning and taking action, and joining or creating groups. Topics covered include Human Rights, Hunger and Homelessness, Health and Safety, Education, Environment and Conservation, Youth Representation, and Peace and Friendship. Each chapter has a mix of inspirational true stories of teens making a difference, activities, statistics and facts, quick tips, and websites and names of helpful organizations. While not comprehensive, the guide is a good starting resource and seeks to be unbiased in discussion of social change topics. ( )

With the economy in trouble, we can and should turn our attention to those around us in our neighborhoods and communities needing help and doing projects that will help those around us. Service projects, however, can take a whole new dimension when one extends a helping hand across borders and oceans. A year ago, at the national ASCD convention, two teachers keynoted the entire convention with a description of their global projects and the impact these activities had on their students motivation, learning, excitement, and new-found perspectives and understanding. Impressive indeed. In this volume that can be read by both teens and adults, dozens and dozens of ideas are recommended with all types of hows, whys, whens, and whos attached. Accroding to our speakers, such ideas can be ignited by just one student who might be given this book with an attached challenge and then the adults turn into coaches and help the teens take over. In today’s bored school kids, one need not fear that time taken on such projects will cut into scores. Rather, use them to boost skills, abilities, deep understanding, and most of all, caring. Highly recommended for solid ideas along with the ways and means.