These exciting true stories will inspire teens to believe in themselves and the ability of determined young people to make a difference in the world. As fun to read as fiction, the stories are engaging and accessible—a great way to encourage reluctant readers.
In Kids with Courage, readers meet 18 remarkable kids with the courage to speak out, fight back, come to the rescue, and stand up for their beliefs.
• The student had a loaded gun and a room full of hostages. Police surrounded the school. Then Ruben Ortega got mad... • Norvell Smith knew there would be gang members in the audience. But she looked right at them and gave them a piece of her mind... • It was the middle of winter, and the woman had no shoes. Frank Daily looked down at his Nikes and made a decision... • The house was filled with smoke and flames. And Melinda Clark couldn’t find her little brother... • Mr. Smith threatened to kill her mother and brother. But Mercedes Jones spoke out anyway—and a sexual abuser went to jail... • Andrew Holleman had practically grown up on the wetlands. He loved its plants, creatures, and gooey mud. Then he heard about the developer’s plan...
National award-winning author Barbara A. Lewis provides the inspiration to empower young people to make a difference in their communities and in the world.
Grade 5-10-- A companion to the author's well-received Kid's Guide to Social Action (Free Spirit, 1991). Lewis relates the stories of 18 young people who responded resourcefully and heroically to what they perceived as crisis situations. One died after saving his friend from drowning; another kept fighting to cleanse the environment while being treated for a fatal brain tumor. Other subjects include an ex-addict and runaway who counsels younger children against drugs and violence, and a girl who testified against her sexually abusive babysitter. A hearing-disabled youth reaches out to help others, and a boy gives his prized Nikes to a shoeless stranger on a cold night. Another chapter describes the efforts of a boy who defeated the plans of a developer to build on a wetland. The book is divided into four topics: crime, social action, heroism, and the environment. The young people here are of varied ethnic and economic backgrounds and live in many parts of the country. There is some condescension in the author's tone, which seems to be at odds with what is intended to be a serious work addressed to young people concerned about their world and its future. Also, the chapter structure is repetitive. However, the book is sure to provoke thought and discussion. --Libby K. White, Schenectady County Public Library, NY Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"Recommended Books for the Reluctant YA Reader," —American Library Association
Barbara A. Lewis is a national award-winning author and educator who teaches kids how to think and solve real problems. Her students at Jackson Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah, initiated the cleanup of hazardous waste, improved sidewalks, planted thousands of trees, and fought crime. They instigated and pushed through several state laws and an amendment to a national law, garnering 10 national awards, including two President's Environmental Youth Awards, the Arbor Day Award, the Renew America Award, and Pledge and a Promise Environmental Award. They have also been recognized in the Congressional Record three times.
Barbara has been featured in/on many national newspapers, magazines, and news programs, including Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, Family Circle, CBS This Morning, CBS World News, and CNN. She has also written many articles and short stories for national magazines. Her books for Free Spirit Publishing--"What Do You Stand For? For Kids," "What Do You Stand For? For Teens," "The Kid's Guide to Social Action," "Kids with Courage," "The Kid's Guide to Service Projects," "The Teen Guide to Global Action," and "The Survival Guide for Teachers of Gifted Kids"--have won Parenting's Reading Magic Award and been named "Best of the Best for Children" by the American Library Association, among other honors.
Barbara has lived in Indiana, New Jersey, Switzerland, Belgium, Utah, and Poland. She and her husband, Larry, currently reside in Park City, Utah. They have four children, five perfect grandchildren, and a forest of shy deer, a bold moose, busy squirrels, and feathered friends.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 starsAn Inspiring, Energizing Book, December 4, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Kids with Courage: True Stories About Young People Making a Difference (Paperback)
This is one of the best books for young people I have ever read. It's very inspirational and motivating. You can change your community - or the world! This book empowers young people to dream and act.
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This review is from: Kids with Courage: True Stories About Young People Making a Difference (Paperback)
I came across this book and really like it. It's always a pleasure for me to read about kids making a difference.
Kids need to be encouraged as much as possible and this book does it for me.
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