What do you think?
Rate this book
Enough! 20 Protesters Who Changed America
From Samuel Adams to the students from Parkland, march through history with the heroic revolutionary protesters who changed America.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 6, 2018
Things that are a protest: a football player taking a knee. Rosa Park not giving up her seat. Yoko Ono and John in bed for peace.
Things that are not a protest: A trans child presenting in the manner that suits her gender identity.
The inclusion of Jazz Jennings is sloppy, incorrect, and cheap device. Do better by trans children.
Things that are not a protest: A trans child presenting in the manner that suits her gender identity.
The inclusion of Jazz Jennings is sloppy, incorrect, and cheap device. Do better by trans children.
February 1, 2019
Cute, though the pages are simplistic. Each page just has a a single sentence on it: for example, "Colin took a knee" with an illustration of Colin Kaepernick. Then, a couple pages at the end collects more information about each featured protester. I'd have liked it better if the information included in the back of the book had been put on their individual pages instead.
It's a bit debatable as to whether all those included were "protesters", per se, but the spirit of activism is present in every person included. I like that the collection shows the commonalities over history of standing up to corruption and injustice. I'd have liked to see an inclusion of Native protesters (such as the Standing Rock DAPL protests) but overall there's a good mix of races, sexualities, and genders.
Some of information in the mini-bios was problematic, however. Susan B. Anthony's mentions "women's suffrage" and the Nineteenth Amendment which "finally gave women the right to vote" while ignoring that this only included white women (and Anthony was pretty racist herself). Rosa Parks' denies that her refusal to give up her seat was a planned protest, when we know that it was, and that she was not the first to do so. Jazz Jenning's uses the phrase "born with a boy body," which is incorrect gender-essentialist language-- Jazz was born with a girl body because she is a girl.
It's a bit debatable as to whether all those included were "protesters", per se, but the spirit of activism is present in every person included. I like that the collection shows the commonalities over history of standing up to corruption and injustice. I'd have liked to see an inclusion of Native protesters (such as the Standing Rock DAPL protests) but overall there's a good mix of races, sexualities, and genders.
Some of information in the mini-bios was problematic, however. Susan B. Anthony's mentions "women's suffrage" and the Nineteenth Amendment which "finally gave women the right to vote" while ignoring that this only included white women (and Anthony was pretty racist herself). Rosa Parks' denies that her refusal to give up her seat was a planned protest, when we know that it was, and that she was not the first to do so. Jazz Jenning's uses the phrase "born with a boy body," which is incorrect gender-essentialist language-- Jazz was born with a girl body because she is a girl.
April 2, 2019
Love this! A two-page, full-bleed, full-color spread for each "heroic protester," with one sentence saying what he or she did--"Samuel threw a tea party," "Woody sang for you and me," "Ruby went to school." Each spread is worth poring over: the perspective is sometimes straight on, sometimes from a distance, or from an unusual angle. I love the "Tommie and John raised their fists" illustration, which is seen from above the athletes' heads, fists large in the foreground. (Gutsy call to use this illustration for the cover--I've had this book on display at the library for over a week now, and no one has checked it out. Grr.) And "Muhammed refused to fight" shows Muhammed Ali with his arms crossed, talking back to an Army recruiter, saying, "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong."
November 25, 2018
The language of this book is very simple and easy for small children to digest. I was checking it out to see if it would be a good fit for my nieces and instead I found something extremely wonderful.
This book shows both passive and active resistance, which is so important to explain to kids early on.
But then I started crying. And here is why--it includes Colin Kaepernick and ends with the Parkland Students. This does not choose to focus on any one race or issue, everyone is included and it is up to date. So why start crying? Because there is a children's picture book that talks about gun violence (something that should never have to exist) but also because it highlights how young people can make active change. We don't have to die like this and neither do they.
This book shows both passive and active resistance, which is so important to explain to kids early on.
But then I started crying. And here is why--it includes Colin Kaepernick and ends with the Parkland Students. This does not choose to focus on any one race or issue, everyone is included and it is up to date. So why start crying? Because there is a children's picture book that talks about gun violence (something that should never have to exist) but also because it highlights how young people can make active change. We don't have to die like this and neither do they.
October 11, 2020
Powerful book! Each two page spread features different protests or activists throughout history. Easy enough to read just as a picture book but provides more in-depth info about each page at the end. Beautiful, made me cry, and I even learned about some activists I had not known before!
March 26, 2021
An intro to protest movements and actions in the US, from Samuel Adams to the Parkland students. Each person/group/movement gets a simple sentence and a gentle two-page illustration, with more info in the back. It’s a good starting place with young kids, though I appreciate some of the other reviewers’ critiques of the choices or framings here.
One thing I like is that there are multiple figures/movements from some eras of history (like the Vietnam War), to show that protests don’t just happen once and then things change from there. And that there are contemporary protests. After I read this book with my 5yo, I commented that the book doesn’t really show Asians like us, but there are many Asians protesting right now (and other people protesting with us), and we watched a video of a vigil for Atlanta. I always think it’s a good idea to talk with kids about what we read, but this feels especially important for history books.
One thing I like is that there are multiple figures/movements from some eras of history (like the Vietnam War), to show that protests don’t just happen once and then things change from there. And that there are contemporary protests. After I read this book with my 5yo, I commented that the book doesn’t really show Asians like us, but there are many Asians protesting right now (and other people protesting with us), and we watched a video of a vigil for Atlanta. I always think it’s a good idea to talk with kids about what we read, but this feels especially important for history books.
July 3, 2020
My wife and niece (both teachers) were talking about this book and it sounded bold for a children’s book.
My niece brought her copy and I was riveted by everything in it. The art is captivating. My wife as a first grade teacher says her kids will find this perfect for beginning readers.
Each page has only a single line of text and it makes each one memorable. It left me wanting to research the less familiar stories.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long as their are brief summaries of each of the 20 stories in the back of the book.
I’d highly recommend it for parents of young kids, teachers and even their parents who want to educate themselves.
The book WILL TRIGGER certain people though. It does not back away from modern issues like Colin Kaepernick taking a knee to protest police violence, gay rights and transgender acceptance.
My niece brought her copy and I was riveted by everything in it. The art is captivating. My wife as a first grade teacher says her kids will find this perfect for beginning readers.
Each page has only a single line of text and it makes each one memorable. It left me wanting to research the less familiar stories.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long as their are brief summaries of each of the 20 stories in the back of the book.
I’d highly recommend it for parents of young kids, teachers and even their parents who want to educate themselves.
The book WILL TRIGGER certain people though. It does not back away from modern issues like Colin Kaepernick taking a knee to protest police violence, gay rights and transgender acceptance.
September 4, 2019
I really like the format of this. Simple enough to share with a small child, older or curious readers can dip into the short bios at the back, the pictures are allowed to do much of the telling. I also like how many things can be an act of protest...sometimes it's sitting on a bus seat or demonstrating at the Olympics but sometimes it's putting on a dress or going to school. Be sure not to miss the author's note where she tells her story of how she came to write the book.
There will be those who will complain it is politically skewed. Two thoughts on that, one, all of these are characters in history your kids should learn about, learning about them is not the same as agreeing with them. And two, yeah, a book on protest is going to lean left. That's kind of a given.
There will be those who will complain it is politically skewed. Two thoughts on that, one, all of these are characters in history your kids should learn about, learning about them is not the same as agreeing with them. And two, yeah, a book on protest is going to lean left. That's kind of a given.
January 14, 2021
I wanted to really like this one. Words are sparse. With more information provided to each person/event at the back. In terms of the layout I think it would be better suited as a picture book to have that information inlaid on the page of the person/event. Makes more sense for the flow of a read aloud. The illustrations are fantastic. Captivating and bright.
I know that it was limited to only twenty, and in that twenty will need to be the classics, and I appreciate the lesser known folk as well as the diversity of modalities in which the folks went about their protests, but no Native Americans??? Their struggle and protests and “COURAGE” omitted as they so often are from history books. How do you miss that?
I know that it was limited to only twenty, and in that twenty will need to be the classics, and I appreciate the lesser known folk as well as the diversity of modalities in which the folks went about their protests, but no Native Americans??? Their struggle and protests and “COURAGE” omitted as they so often are from history books. How do you miss that?
July 5, 2022
7/5/2022 ~ A very brief book which highlights 20 protestors from across American history - from the Boston Tea Party to the students' response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, FL. Issues range from enslavement, to school integration, women's suffrage to workers rights, environmentalism to LGBTQ rights. Notably absent is any mention of indigenous activists in N. America.
Each activist is highlighted by a very brief phrase (4 to 8 words) and a double-spread illustration. A brief paragraph about each person is included in the back matter. I know it would interrupt the flow of the main text, but I think I'd prefer to have the informational paragraph included on the main page.
Each activist is highlighted by a very brief phrase (4 to 8 words) and a double-spread illustration. A brief paragraph about each person is included in the back matter. I know it would interrupt the flow of the main text, but I think I'd prefer to have the informational paragraph included on the main page.
January 26, 2021
A short picture book of 20 protesters who changed America, from Samuel Adams and Harriet Tubman to Jazz Jennings, Colin Kaepernick, and the students in Parkland. A pretty good cross-section of causes and the protesters who championed them. Each two-page spread has an illustration and a short phrase, like "Ruby went to school" or "Rachel wrote a book," and leaves it up to the parents to fill in who Ruby Bridges or Rachel Carson are and why their protest matters (there is an appendix explaining more, with a quote from each, e.g. Woody Guthrie's "It is a folk singer's job to comfort disturbed people and disturb comfortable people." Really great book - highly recommended.
February 16, 2020
I’m torn by this book. On one hand, the simplicity of the simple sentence on each page shows how diverse and simple a protest can be. On the other hand, it minimizes the extreme struggle and difficulty involved for the people featured. I did like that the author chose some different and newer people to mix in with the well-known ones. Some of the less-talked about people include musician Woodie Guthrie, environmentalist Rachel Carson, Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos, artist Gilbert Baker, and athlete Colin Kaepernick, as well as the Time’s Up and March for Our Lives movements.
January 19, 2019
Simple enough for toddlers, each page contains one sentence about history changing Americans from the founding of the country through today. Many are well known faces of movements like African Americans' fight for freedom and equality, along with lesser known activists for gay rights and the Parkland students who marched for gun control. I was disappointed that the Black Lives Matter movement wasn't mentioned. A decent introduction with a page of short bios at the back.
January 25, 2020
Was going to give this a five until I finished it. Realized that there was not inclusion of any Indigenous protests, and some of the back matter was misleading and factually incorrect. I still gave it three stars because I appreciate the book even existing, and although there are some glaring missteps, on the whole it is important, and I appreciate it's simplicity. Also, the illustrations are great.
July 7, 2020
Sparse text will resonate with the protesters who are familiar, and prompt (I hope) the desire to learn more about those who aren't familiar. Love that the types of protests span issues of politics, race, equity, worker's rights, women's rights, transgender rights, school safety/gun control and more.
The back matter includes a short paragraph of information with a key date, and a quote (or two...or three) for each person/group.
Would pair well with Rise Up! The Art of Protest.
The back matter includes a short paragraph of information with a key date, and a quote (or two...or three) for each person/group.
Would pair well with Rise Up! The Art of Protest.
October 6, 2020
Copyright: 2018
Historical-Fiction
Theme: One person can do really big things and stand up for your beliefs
I love how this book starts with Samuel Adams protesting the Boston Tea and ends with the Parkland student protest to end gun violence. All twenty of the posters have different races, genders, religions, and beliefs that many students can relate with. In my classroom, I would use this book when talking about self worth and standing up when something seems wrong.
Historical-Fiction
Theme: One person can do really big things and stand up for your beliefs
I love how this book starts with Samuel Adams protesting the Boston Tea and ends with the Parkland student protest to end gun violence. All twenty of the posters have different races, genders, religions, and beliefs that many students can relate with. In my classroom, I would use this book when talking about self worth and standing up when something seems wrong.
February 23, 2021
This book is written as a picture book. However, there is not enough there to interest a young listener. Each page has one sentence with no story. The reader would have to fill in what has been left out. It would have been better to write it as a teen book with more meat to it. In the back of the book are the descriptions of the people mentioned however, it would have been better to write more about them in the book. I think this book missed it's audience.
October 4, 2021
I really wanted to like this book but I think the main idea is people who have changed the world, not necessarily who have protested. Although I, as a Hispanic, am happy to see Chavez/Huerta and Ferrera/Longoria represented, I also wish the author had chosen a more diverse group of people through many periods of time. I do think the illustrations are very nice and this book opens the door for discussions with young children.
January 16, 2022
This picture book is simple. It doesn't dive into the biographies of each of the individuals that it highlights but instead shares one line about what they were famous for in the children's book story itself and then saves a brief biography for the very end which makes it ripe for additional research to know who these integral people were.
The illustrations were lovely and complicated the quick story which isn't heavy-handed but inspirational.
The illustrations were lovely and complicated the quick story which isn't heavy-handed but inspirational.
November 9, 2018
From the Boston Tea Party to the Parkland Students this book covers people who stood up to change America. The text itself doesn't tell very much but the end notes provide the necessary information about the featured protesters. The pictures are beautiful and I learned about at least two people that I hadn't heard of before.
November 16, 2018
A simple picture book that highlights many people who have stood up for their rights. I liked that it not only included Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, but also Colin Kaepernick and the Parkland students. The back matter provides a little bit of information, but I see it as a springboard for kids to become interested and head off and learn more.
November 30, 2018
Chronological and diverse in nature; simple structure for the majority of the book. This illustrates to kids just HOW many ways people have stood up for their rights/the rights of others...
An excellent springboard for young children with more information in the back; this book could definitely inspire further research.
An excellent springboard for young children with more information in the back; this book could definitely inspire further research.
January 8, 2019
Many times I chide a book for being too wordy. This is the opposite. There are many people outlined in this book who stood out for their efforts in taking a stand. But each page has an illustration of the person/people with only their name and a brief few words after. It's only at the back of the book where the reader can find details.
January 11, 2019
"Rosa kept her seat. / Ruby went to school. / Rachel wrote a book. / Martin had a dream." With close up illustrations and four - eight word sentences, American history of protest is celebrated in this picture book, including Parkland high school students, Colin Kaepernick, and women of the Time's Up movement.
February 17, 2019
Beautiful illustrations tell the basics of 20 different protestors with extra explanations at the back. It's amazing to look at how long some of these protests take historically and then relate it to present day where people THINK they know how protests work and want to tell the protestors, very inaccurately, how things work and what they should do.
March 25, 2019
A modern, relevant compilation of protestors in US history. The illustrations are simple and compelling. I really liked the bios and quotes at the back of the book. My daughter and I learned about people we knew little about. The only thing I would have changed is to put the bio on the same page as the illustration so constant flipping back and forth can be avoided.
May 9, 2019
Inspired by her cousins involvement in the Parkland shooting this author created a illustrated little kids book about protestors from Harriet Tubman to Colin Kapernick and ending with the Parkland students. Short blurbs on beautiful double spread portraits make it easy for little ones. A detailed 4 end pages provide info about these heroes for further investigation.
June 1, 2019
A powerful book about 20 different individuals who have or are currently changing things with their ability to speak up, stand out, and not be afraid. It is designed to be shared with any age child with more information about each person in the back. A great introduction for children or a way to continue a conversation...
June 13, 2020
I knew all the stories except America Ferrera and the Time's Up movement. A very simple picture book but the Author's Note and Forward along with the four pages of background at the end were really helpful. I appreciated the many ways protesters could demonstrate even if I wanted to read more about each one of those people. A very young readers book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews