The Kid's Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference

by Barbara A. Lewis

This new edition of Free Spirit’s best-selling youth service guide includes a refreshed ";Ten Steps to Successful Service Projects"; plus hundreds of up-to-date ideas for projects—from simple to large-scale. At a time when U.S. President Barack Obama has called for increased participation in community service, this revitalized book is sure to find a whole new audience of eager young change-makers.Book PaperbackPublication 10/1/2009 160Reading Age 8 and Up

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Parenting

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1994

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

[Ruth Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book suggests over 500 service ideas in the following catergories: animals, politics & government, community development, crime fighting, the environment, friendship, health & wellness, homelessness, hunger, literacy, peopel with special needs, seniors, safety, and transportation. Also included are helpful "how-to" lists such as creating a flyer, a survey, or even a statewide fund. This book is a starting point to get kids thinking and brainstorming but also a resource for exploring further.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great if you have a child (or group of kids) who are looking for a place to start; not so much if you're looking to expand their helpfulness. Some very good ideas on how to prepare and conduct a successful service project.

[Jennie Jakobi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will be using with 5 to 12 year olds

[Steven Foley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice resource to use as a template model for projects. As an educator this is a beneficial tool to help your students and youth engage, plan, and complete service learning projects.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Service learning and helpfulness ideas for different aspects of volunteerism.

[Gabrielle Maes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am definitely going to be starting a revolution after reading this book! Barara is an amazing author. She has given me so many ideas on how to help my community.

[Debbie Tabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Item Title: The Kid's Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference

Item Call Number: HV41 .L455 2009 ISBN- 978-157542338 Reviewed in: LME 508

Lewis, B.A. (2009). The kid's guide to service projects (Updated 2nd ed.). Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing.

Relevance and Relationship—
It is important that students become self-motivated. Ms. Lewis’s service projects books encourages young people to think critically when serving others; become problem solvers. The paperback version is $12.00 but priceless to students who develop needed skills, teachers who are able to teach the sciences to motivated kids, and ultimately, those who benefit from dedicated students’ service.

Purpose:—
This book is written as a guide for service projects that address the following:
Animals
Community Development
Crime Fighting
The Environment
Health & Wellness
Homelessness
Hunger
Literacy
People with Special Needs
Seniors
Politics & Government
Safety
Transportation
Friendship Lewis (2009

Validity—
The author, Barbara Lewis, formally taught in the public school system. Ms. Lewis is an award winning writer, teacher and youth services coordinator and she travels to speaking engagements all over the country. She and her students were honored for community contributions by President Clinton and have been featured nationally in many magazines and newspapers, in The Congressional Record, and on television. Lewis (2009) In this book Lewis has added pages such as, “Find Out More” that has names and contact information for organizations young people can do service with.

Format–
The Kid's Guide to Service Projects is written in chapters with very few illustrations. The front cover stirs excitement by using pictures of kids involved in service.

Arrangement and Presentation-
The Table of Contents lists the chapter heads in light blue letters and sub chapter titles in brown. The text is a blend of brown and blue with a pinned note effect on several pages. Bullets are used throughout the book as a list of things to do would be. The index is a double column style. The back cover is colorful with blocked sections giving information about Lewis and motivation material for service projects.

Diversity
In her book of service projects Mrs. Lewis strives to involve young people with many diversity issues; some of which are, homelessness,
hunger, literacy, people with special needs, and seniors. This book is for ages 8 and up.

Resources cited
Lewis. B. (2009). Barbara Lewis website. Retrieved from http://www.barbaraalewis.com/

[Sarah Hurdelbrink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbara Lewis has created a fantastic resource for any child interested in knowing how to put their ideas to change the world into action. She arranges her chapters into steps that are simple and easy to follow, from advertising to getting appropriate permissions and fundraising. She also includes additional resources and information about various social justice topics and related information (both historical and current) that would be helpful for students to know, such as legislation and organizations that may be helpful to them in furthering their cause. This essential how-to book will provide students with a wealth of information that they can tailor to meet their research needs.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the suggested projects were geared toward teenagers, not the kids that the title suggests. Also, projects were very general, like "help" this group or that. I was hoping for more specific suggestions.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for a student who wants self help in choosing a project that can make a difference in their community. It's filled with practical advice and next steps.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for kids to get involved, to start volunteering. Easy to read and follow. Great ideas are provided. I plan to show this to my students and my children.

[Courtney Bocci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this for a Girl Scout and possibly Destination ImagiNation resource, and it's already proven tremendously helpful.

[Nicole L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed reading this book. Great service ideas for kids