A Fair Deal: Shopping for Social Justice

by Kari Jones

"Jones catches the beauty of fair trade in the way it strengthens morale and human dignity for all those engaged."― Kirkus Reviews Fair trade is not about spending more money or buying more stuff. It's about helping producers in developing countries get a fair price for their goods. A Fair Shopping for Social Justice provides a history of trade, explaining what makes trade systems unfair and what we can do about it. By examining the ways in which our global trade systems value some people over others, the book illustrates areas in which fair trade practices can help families all around the world and suggests ways to get involved in making the world a more equitable place.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada

48 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2017

About the author

I am a writer living in Victoria where I alternate between writing and teaching. I love writing about kids in action, kids exploring their world, and kids solving problems for themselves. In "Shimmy" I got to combine two of the things I love the most: dancing and writing, and in At The Edge of the World, I explored how kids become adults. I like to set my books in places I have lived, so that I have an excuse to visit some of my favorite spots in the world.

Reviews

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jones, Kari A Fair Deal: Shopping for Social Justice, 48 pages. NON-FICTION. Orca Footprints, 2017. $20.

This book starts off with a history of trade including child labor, horrible factory conditions, and new laws. It then delves into modern day supply and production and what fair looks like. It talks about various organizations that started the fair trade movement, how it’s supported today, and how young people and consumers can tell if they are supporting fair trade. Large page sizes with tons of well-chosen bright photographs that don’t feel like stock photos.

This book would work well for a middle school research project, as it requires some grasp on economics -so its not quite right for elementary. This movement is growing in popularity and some readers may choose to read this just to find out how they can support fair trade. It’s a well written and appealing book, but I think its circulation would be limited.

MS -OPTIONAL. Stephanie, Elementary School Librarian & Author
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Wunderdrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title is nominated for the 2019 Hackmatack Award in the non-fiction category. It is a great introduction to the concept of fair trade, and the importance of being an educated consumer. I thought it provided a solid explanation of the supply chain, and how cooperatives work. I liked that the book encouraged kids to make an effort to explore where their stuff comes from, and to consider what the conditions might be like for other kids like themselves in far off countries. The tone was informative, not preachy, which I am sure that parents and teachers will appreciate. I really liked the design of the book, the photos were very appealing and I enjoyed the 'fair trade facts' throughout. I'm also a sucker for books with resource, glossary and index pages. I would definitely recommend this book to kids who are interested in world issues like human rights, however some of the younger kids (grade 4) in hackmatack might find it challenging.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book for young people (grades 5-9) that everyone should read.
Explains the importance of fair trade and social justice and "what each of us can do to help make the world a fairer place."
It is part of The Orca Footprints Series, which is comprised of "nonfiction books for young readers focused on ecological literacy."

[Ren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize when I saw this on my library's website among the new titles that it was a kids' book so when it came in I was a little surprised. I do think a child in the middle grades would get something from it though. It's a good intro to where things come from and the impact of our choices.

[Kazia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good introduction to fair trade.

[Emma Spau]

it was really cool how the author talked about her experience and I learned a lot about the economy