Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World [Hardcover]

Jane Breskin Zalben (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

With a stirring quote set within a stunning and incisive collage, Zalben sets the tone for each of the sixteen peacemakers she profiles in this book. Mahatma Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Cesar Chavez,Aung San Suu Kyi, and the most recent Nobel Prize winner, Dr.Wangari Maathai, are some of thepeople she chose to represent different eras and parts of the globe. Many started down their path to peace during childhood, and all challenge us to think about improving the lives of others. Also included in this beautiful volume are art notes, a glossary, a bibliography, further reading, and an index, making it an excellent resource for teachers and students.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–This handsome volume highlights 16 individuals who have worked to improve conditions for others through their words and actions. Included are writers, philosophers, Civil Rights advocates, and politicians, many of whom are Nobel Peace Prize recipients. The book focuses on celebrated individuals such as John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Cesar Chavez, and Elie Wiesel. Also covered are those newer to recognition, such as Wangari Maathai, who works for conservation in Kenya, and Aung San Suu Kyi, who fights for democracy in Myanmar. The well-written, single-page vignettes provide an interesting glimpse into the lives of these people and will pique readers curiosity and encourage them to learn more. Each biography is surrounded by an eye-catching border and faces a full-page illustration and quote from the subject. Made from fabric, etchings, watercolor, and found objects, the collages reflect Zalbens interpretation of these individuals, and the appended notes explain the various symbols and materials in the pictures. For example, Mahatma Gandhis entry mentions his 1930 Salt March to end an unfair law, while the illustration depicts an abstract beach scene sprinkled with real sea salt, and Indian paper borders the text. The accomplished, vibrant artwork and the graceful narrative clearly express each persons character, approach to life, and accomplishments, making this an enticing introduction to a diverse group of peacemakers.–Hope Marie Cook, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. In one-page biographies, Zalben profiles 16 world peacemakers, ranging from Emerson, Gandhi, and King to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a political prisoner in Myanmar, who remains under house arrest. Beautiful collage borders frame the text, and opposite each biography is a full-page picture, a composition of watercolors, photography, cut paper, and found objects, that expresses the individuality of the activist. Zalben's brief, fascinating art notes at the back explain her choice of^B materials for each picture. The focus is very upbeat. In fact, the piece about Anne Frank gets downright mushy, and the picture for Princess Diana, a heart with roses and a beatific child, looks like a greeting card. Better are the illustrations for Chavez, a collage of parents and children picking crops under the sun, and for John F. Kennedy, a sailboat skimming an open sea under starry skies. Readers will be moved by Zalben's comments, which reveal that many of her subjects trace their activism from a challenge, an event, or individual they encountered during childhood. A glossary, a bibliography noting a few titles for each individual, and a list of general resources are appended. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (March 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525477349
• ISBN-13: 978-0525477341
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Social Activists
  • #41 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Political
  • #79 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Social Science

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly beautiful book that sends a clear message, May 13, 2007

By 

silky69 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World (Hardcover)

This book gives me chills to read. It makes peace so simplified and pure. I would recommend it for both adults and children. THe 1-page biographies of people who have helped change our world or inspired us toward peace are captivating. There is a beautiful illustration on the page opposite their biography that accompanies a quote about peace from that famous person. The illustrations are awe-inspiring. Everything about this book is truly beatiful. It makes peace seem so simple, yet, at the same time, it brings me to ask why is peace so hard to achieve in this world? The bottom line is that we must look toward ourselves for peace before we can look toward others. It begins with us as individuals. I love this book. It's beautiful in so many ways.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, factual and hope-filled, November 1, 2008

By 

Book Lover (Canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World (Hardcover)

This book is not just for children. The artistry and layout is exquisite and suit the key quotation and story of each peacemaker. I work in a high school and use it as a resource and 'coffee table book' for students to pick up and browse through. 'Paths to Peace' is a teaching tool and a sign of hope for out world today!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Paths to Peace People Who Changed the World, October 12, 2006

By 

Jewish Book World Magazine (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World (Hardcover)

Zalben guides us through the lives of 16 people who have dramatically pursued their individual paths to peace over the span of the past 200 years. Each figure's life is smartly analyzed and consolidated into a one-page presentation that provides a compressed and worthy view of their importance towards creating peace in the world.

Three elements will draw in a young reader on every double-page spread: the synopsis of the famous person's life, a quote, and Zalben's artwork, which is reflective of the person's unique impact on the world. The book enables teachers to introduce a collection of peacemakers and present a wide range of themes while laying the foundation for the continued study of a particular individual or cause.

Opening with Emerson, and including Gandhi, Bunche, Mother Teresa, The Dalai Lama, Sadat, Maathai and others, there is no Jewish content specifically. The three Jewish individuals include Einstein, Elie Wiesel, and Anne Frank. The care exercised in choosing not only well known names, adds depth to the project. A glossary, art notes, a bibliography, and further readings and resources are included. For ages 9 - 12. Reviewed by Christine Maasdam