The Kid's Guide to Social Action: How to Solve the Social Problems You Choose-And Turn Creative Thinking into Positive Action

by Barbara A. Lewis, Pamela Espeland

For the young (age 10 and up) and budding social activist, Lewis provides illustrative stories of kids who care and do, guides to the skills involved, sample forms (petitions, letters, news releases, etc.) and a resource guide with addresses and phone numbers. Published by Free Spirit Publishing, Inc., 400 First Avenue, North, Suite 616, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Social Justice, Childrens, Teaching

185 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

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: Mike, Andrea, Chris, and Sam; five perfect grandchildren; and a forest of shy deer, a bold moose, busy squirrels, and feathered friends.

Reviews

[Sarah Hurdelbrink]

Similar to the book A Kid's Guide to Service Projects in style and content, and by the same author, this resource book serves as a step by step guide for civic activism and making social change in the world. This book focuses more on the civic components of changing society, specifically focusing on legislation, lobbying, and causing government-centered, systemic change in response to current issues that may be of personal concern to an individual. The book is again easy-to-follow and use as needed as students prepare a project of their own to result in social change.

[Barbara Lovejoy]

Barbara Lewis--the author-- is doing an all day presentation for our Esperanza charter school team in October on the topic of this book so wanted to read the book ahead of time even though I had already read the book a couple of times in the past. It is a WONDERFUL book filled with ideas on how to get kids involved in service learning and making a difference in the world. It's helpful for adults, too!

[S]

For work, teaching social studies classes.

[Sara]

Although the title says "kids", it's a jam-packed book that would work for middle grades, too!

[Michelle]

Great ideas to involve your students, family, neighbors or whomever in your community! Valuable ideas, paths to connecting w officials and things to consider as you get started.