Make Trouble Young Readers Edition: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead

by Cecile Richards, Lauren Peterson (With)

From former Planned Parenthood president and activist Cecile Richards comes the young readers edition of her New York Times bestselling memoir, which Hillary Rodham Clinton called an “inspiration for aspiring leaders everywhere.”

To make change, you have to make trouble.

Cecile Richards has been fighting for what she believes in ever since she was taken to the principal’s office in seventh grade for wearing an armband in protest of the Vietnam War. She had an extraordinary childhood in ultra-conservative Texas, where her father, a civil rights attorney, and her mother, an avid activist and the first female governor of Texas, taught their kids to be troublemakers.

From the time Richards was a girl, she had a front row seat to observe the rise of women in American politics. And by sharing her story with young readers, she shines a light on the people and lessons that have gotten her though good times and bad, and encourages her audience to take risks, make mistakes, and make trouble along the way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2019

About the author

Cecile Richards was an American activist who served as the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund from 2006 to 2018. In 2010, Richards was elected to the Ford Foundation board of trustees. In spring 2019, Richards co-founded Supermajority, a women's political action group.

Reviews

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I opened this one, I wasn't sure what to expect, and it went in a direction I honestly didn't see coming.

Cecile Richards was born to activist and liberal parents in a very conservative area. Her parents taught her early on to let her voice be heard and push what she saw as correct, even if it wasn't what many would like her to do. This life theory followed her all through school and into her her adult years, where she continued to fight for her ideologies. Sometimes, she found trouble and others, gave her success. And this is her tale.

This book has been adapted from her same titled book for adults. It slips quickly over her childhood, in the first chapter, and launches into her life mission to stand up for women's rights and later, the ideologies of Planned Parenthood. While it does dive into a bit about her personal life, most of the book centers on the important moments of her activist efforts and the obstacles she faced. The book is well written and does grab the reader. The pace holds steady throughout the read, making sure there is never a boring moment, while it brings across the important times of her life. It's always clear what she's doing and her reasons behind her actions. For readers who are interested in her life, it's definitely an interesting read. And there is the message that one should stand up and never give up for what they believe in.

While I found this book well-written, I'm not sure it quite fits the advertised audience and would suggest it more for girls ages 13 and up. Not only are there a few scenes parents might want to be aware of before handing this to more sensitive readers, but the writing itself isn't quite right for the younger readers and is more suitable for a slightly older audience.

I received a complimentary copy and am leaving my honest thoughts.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make Trouble Young Readers Edition: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead by Cecile Richards, with Lauren Peterson and adapted by Ruby Skamir, is currently scheduled for release on October 15 2019. Sometimes to make change, you have to make trouble. Cecile Richards has been fighting for what she believes in ever since she was taken to the principal’s office in seventh grade for wearing an armband in protest of the Vietnam War. She had an extraordinary childhood in ultra-conservative Texas, where her father, a civil rights attorney, and her mother, an avid activist and the first female governor of Texas, taught their kids to be troublemakers. From the time Richards was a girl, she had a front row seat to observe the rise of women in American politics. And by sharing her story with young readers, she shines a light on the people and lessons that have gotten her though good times and bad, and encourages her audience to take risks, make mistakes, and make trouble along the way.

Make Trouble Young Readers Edition is a book that can inspire readers of all ages to take a stand, do use their voices, actions, and efforts to do the right thing even when it might earn them the label of troublemaker. I like that the encouragement comes with the information that sometimes standing up can bring about labels, stigma, and danger. I also like Cecile shared not only her positive inspirations, but also those that she came up against that made her work harder and think more creatively because of their opposing viewpoints and actions. She shared her successes, big and small, but also the mistakes that were made and what she learned from them. I think showing the next generation that small things can start change, and small actions can have a big effect is just as important as showing how much work and effort is involved in the bigger actions that can create bigger change. The risks are laid right right along side the goals. I appreciated seeing how some of the ideas and movements were formed, and how the daily work was done. The writing was fully engaging and I felt like I was sitting down with Cecile to hear her talk about her life. It is not a rally call to cause trouble for no reason- rather it is a offer of support and encouragement for the reader to stand up for themselves, for what they believe in, and for the causes that are important to them. Yes, those that question authority and fight for these causes are often labeled as troublemakers- but when earned in this context I think we should all be willing to wear that label with pride and the honor it merits.

Make Trouble Young Readers Edition is a read that is like talking to a trusted friend or relative. Engaging stories and the encouragement to be your best self, and cause trouble when need is something great for children teens, and adults alike. I think this would be a valuable addition to home, public, and classroom library collections.

[Billie Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt the advice and the lessons supporting the advice could be very beneficial to younger readers. I also did like the thought question boxes sprinkled throughout the book. Unfortunately the narrative content didn't mesh well with the elementary school age the writing seemed geared toward. If you feel you need to explain rape, assault and consent to your reader, it feels like your reader is younger than middle school. If that is the target audience for this book, the narratives of the Planned Parenthood congressional hearings are probably going to be lost on kids more than sharing more of her efforts to get out the vote or improve working conditions so parents can put food on the table and have health care for kids as those topics are more accessible to elementary school age kids through their experience. The mission and services of Planned Parenthood are sadly difficult for even some adults to understand, so expecting a young child to parse where healthcare starts and personal beliefs need to end is challenging, to say the least, as they still view new ideas as black and white, which none are, or through the lens of their adults.

I read this book hoping it would provide inspiration if gifted to High School graduates, but found the girls would probably feel like they were being talked down to causing the advice to fall on deaf ears. Plus since the girls I am shopping for all came through the Girl Scout program they would be offended at the description of Girl Scouts just being about cookie selling. Personally I would think that someone who has spend so many years fighting the stereotype of Planned Parenthood is an abortion clinic and nothing more would know better than to write a broadbrushed sentence about a national organization claiming all it does is sell cookies. It is truly an insult to the leaders and changemakers that honed their skills in their local Girl Scout troops and women like Tammy Duckworth that still work with the organization to help grow the next generation of leaders. (Senator Duckworth worked with our council to develop an honor veterans patch offering a way to bring to light the contributions of female service members and offer support to local veterans)

Overall I loved the take aways, but the organization make them a bit harder to find those for a younger reader. An added benefit in future books could be a list of the advice or even for books geared to kids end each chapter with the takeaway advice separated from the narratives. or even a different kind of box than the questions to have them stand out more.

I am currently reading the adult version of this book to see if it would be a better fit for High School/college students in my life and hoping that versions will provide some of the same takeaways to encourage them to stand up for what they believe in.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly readable memoir from the former president of Planned Parenthood. I read the YA version and I’m not sure what the differences are but this reads like a powerful motivational speech. It encourages the reader to question, think and stand up for what you believe in. Given her chosen profession and area of activism, there is some discussion about abortion on these pages that a parent should be aware of before handing it to their child. I think it is discussed fairly and with straightforward clarity that would provide an excellent conversation starting place. Overall it is a book about finding the courage to stand up and speak out for whatever you believe in. It is a rally cry for girls to step into the light and take charge of moving this country in whatever direction they feel it needs to go. It is in the end an uplifting story about fighting to make a difference in our world rather than sitting on the sidelines. An inspiring book by an inspiring woman.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book on a whim after seeing it on display in the young adult section of my public library. I started reading without knowing anything about the author or her activist/political family and quickly found myself inspired by a legacy of social change.

After finishing my reading, I asked my soon-to-be 12-year-old daughter if she was interested in reading this book. She said yes! Some of the content, particularly around sex and abortions, will provide an opportunity for dialogue, if she desires. More importantly, I want my children to take away this important lesson, both from Cecile Richards and from how I live my life:

“This is it - your only life - so whatever the question, the answer is yes. Don’t look back. Don’t hesitate.”

I look forward to helping my children engage in “making trouble” that is good for all people!

[Kimberly Tierney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not quite sure what to expect from this book, but I am so glad I read it. Cecile Richards is a voice that needs to be listened to as she relays an important history of women and their ability to move the mountains of politics. This book is a reminder that sometimes it takes a little bit of ruffling feathers to make a tremendous difference in the lives of those around us, and we need to be brave enough to ruffle those feathers. I enjoyed reading Richards' telling of her background in both work and home experiences, and that they blended so well together. Not that every woman out there needs to run for office or become a CEO, but that there are examples out there of marriages thriving as families work together so that both parents can fulfill their dreams is inspiring.

[LenaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book that shares the importance of taking a stand for what you believe in which sometimes might 'make trouble'. I enjoyed reading and think this book would spark great conversations.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[mer! · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK

[Julia Mitchell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book because I am going to hear her speak but it is so boring and so uneventful...she has done some great good in her fight for women. But she should have hired a good ghost writer.

[Person Urqy]

A liberal Texan politician? Sounds like the stuff of fantasy these days... A great book by the daughter of a great governor, who is an extraordinary person herself.

[Thomas C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cecile Richards wrote an inspiring book that almost seems autobiographical in a sense. Although the book is digestible, informative, and inspiring, it is a bit too advanced for 13-15 y/olds' t0 comprehend. Moreover, I will say that Richard's author voice-- an upper-class, white, liberal, woman-- is objectively biased. Instead of offering data or objective facts regarding the shortcomings of the Republican party--which is ample--she offers sarcastic commentary. Although I agree with said commentary, it isn't necessarily data-driven, which subsequently erodes the credibility of progressives like Cecile Richards and myself. If you want to read about what really goes into being on the campaign trail for women's healthcare rights, politics, and more, you should read this, but be aware of where Richards falls short.