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Kid Legends
Kid Activists: True Tales of Childhood from Champions of Change
Moving, relatable, and totally true childhood biographies of Martin Luther King Jr., Susan B. Anthony, Helen Keller, Malala Yousafzai, and 12 other inspiring activists.
Every activist started out as a kid—and in some cases they were kids when their activism began! But even the world’s greatest champions of civil liberties had relatable interests and problems--often in the middle of extraordinary circumstances. Martin Luther King, Jr. loved fashion, and argued with his dad about whether or not dancing was a sin. Harvey Milk had a passion for listening to opera music in different languages. Dolores Huerta was once wrongly accused of plagiarizing in school.
Kid Activists tells these childhood stories and more through kid-friendly texts and full-color cartoon illustrations on nearly every page. The diverse and inclusive group encompasses Susan B. Anthony , James Baldwin , Ruby Bridges , Frederick Douglass , Alexander Hamilton , Dolores Huerta , Helen Keller , Martin Luther King Jr. , Nelson Mandela , Iqbal Masih , Harvey Milk , Janet Mock , Rosa Parks , Autumn Peltier , Emma Watson , and Malala Yousafzai .
Every activist started out as a kid—and in some cases they were kids when their activism began! But even the world’s greatest champions of civil liberties had relatable interests and problems--often in the middle of extraordinary circumstances. Martin Luther King, Jr. loved fashion, and argued with his dad about whether or not dancing was a sin. Harvey Milk had a passion for listening to opera music in different languages. Dolores Huerta was once wrongly accused of plagiarizing in school.
Kid Activists tells these childhood stories and more through kid-friendly texts and full-color cartoon illustrations on nearly every page. The diverse and inclusive group encompasses Susan B. Anthony , James Baldwin , Ruby Bridges , Frederick Douglass , Alexander Hamilton , Dolores Huerta , Helen Keller , Martin Luther King Jr. , Nelson Mandela , Iqbal Masih , Harvey Milk , Janet Mock , Rosa Parks , Autumn Peltier , Emma Watson , and Malala Yousafzai .
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 24, 2019
69 people are currently reading
1653 people want to read
About the author
Robin Stevenson
42 books167 followersRobin Stevenson is the award winning author of over thirty books of fiction and non-fiction for kids and teens. Her books have received starred reviews and have won the Silver Birch Award, the Sheila A. Egoff award and a Stonewall Honor, and been finalists for the Governor General’s Literary Awards, the Lambda Literary Awards, and many reader’s choice awards. Robin was the Book and Periodical Council of Canada’s Champion of Free Expression for 2022, and received the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Literary Excellence in 2023. She lives on the west coast of Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
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May 24, 2020
July 15, 2021
Kid Activists is a nonfiction collection of known figures throughout history who fought for change and created social movements. The title may sound a bit misleading in due to how some of these people were adults when they started for social justice, but all of them had their future start during their childhood. There are many popular figures many will recognize such as Martin Luther King Jr., Helen Keller, James Baldwin, Susan B. Anthony, Harvey Milk, and Frederick Douglass, and plenty of lesser-known, but more recent child activists such as Iqbal Masih, Ruby Bridges, and Mala Yousafzai. All of these people had witness wrongdoings in their young lives that made them who they are today, fighting to make the world a better place.
I think not only kids would like this book, but also teens and adults who are looking for introductory works about these people will find this useful, there is a bibliography at the end listing many major books that would have more details of them. The drawings and the text is simple enough to follow through and highlights the significant accomplishments that makes it near perfect to read, the only thing left would be to include other diverse people who still need recognitions for what they did.
I think not only kids would like this book, but also teens and adults who are looking for introductory works about these people will find this useful, there is a bibliography at the end listing many major books that would have more details of them. The drawings and the text is simple enough to follow through and highlights the significant accomplishments that makes it near perfect to read, the only thing left would be to include other diverse people who still need recognitions for what they did.
June 21, 2019
Disclaimer: I recieved an ARC of this book as a freebie in an order I had with Quirk Books.
This is a pretty good luck at the youth of people who became activists and some people who became activists as children. There are total of 16 main biographies as well as a total of 12 secondary mentions. For well known people, such as Rosa Parks, the focus in on thier childhood.
While the majority of people discussed are from the USA, the majority of the people discussed are people of color and women. If the book fails anywhere on representation it is having Helen Keller as the only person with a disability.
It is a children's book so the chapters about famous people - such as King - do not always include the assassination or killing of the person (in some cases this could be because of the person's fame). Hamilton's duel, for instance, isn't dealt with. Additionally, some more complicted aspects of the biographies are left out - such as (understandably) Hamilton's unfaithfulness to his wife and the 180 the woman who taught Frederick Douglass how to read did.
It's true that two of the entries feel a bit like a marketing move - these would be Emma Watson and Alexander Hamilton. Not to say what either did or does is not important, it just seems a bit off, especially in regards to Hamilton.
I really like the inclusion of Autumn Peltier - the First Nations member in Canada who focuses on clean and accesible water. Especially when today it seems as if people think the only child focuses on climate is the girl from Sweden - Greta Thunberg (this is not to diminish what she does). Additionally, Stevenson also presents Nelson Mandela's other names as opposed to just the one US citizens know.
The last section focuses on activists who influenced the world as children in recent years, and includes Iqbab Masin (and mentions his death). The book includes a bibliography section with child-friendly sources on the various people.
The only really weird thing was the illustrations for the Hellen Keller chapter. Overall the illustrations are great. The thing is in the Hellen Keller chapter, the illustrations of Keller keep showing her locking eyes with other people which is a bit strange. I'm not saying she should black holes where her eyes are or anything, but she keeps meeting people's gazes with her eyes.
This is a pretty good luck at the youth of people who became activists and some people who became activists as children. There are total of 16 main biographies as well as a total of 12 secondary mentions. For well known people, such as Rosa Parks, the focus in on thier childhood.
While the majority of people discussed are from the USA, the majority of the people discussed are people of color and women. If the book fails anywhere on representation it is having Helen Keller as the only person with a disability.
It is a children's book so the chapters about famous people - such as King - do not always include the assassination or killing of the person (in some cases this could be because of the person's fame). Hamilton's duel, for instance, isn't dealt with. Additionally, some more complicted aspects of the biographies are left out - such as (understandably) Hamilton's unfaithfulness to his wife and the 180 the woman who taught Frederick Douglass how to read did.
It's true that two of the entries feel a bit like a marketing move - these would be Emma Watson and Alexander Hamilton. Not to say what either did or does is not important, it just seems a bit off, especially in regards to Hamilton.
I really like the inclusion of Autumn Peltier - the First Nations member in Canada who focuses on clean and accesible water. Especially when today it seems as if people think the only child focuses on climate is the girl from Sweden - Greta Thunberg (this is not to diminish what she does). Additionally, Stevenson also presents Nelson Mandela's other names as opposed to just the one US citizens know.
The last section focuses on activists who influenced the world as children in recent years, and includes Iqbab Masin (and mentions his death). The book includes a bibliography section with child-friendly sources on the various people.
The only really weird thing was the illustrations for the Hellen Keller chapter. Overall the illustrations are great. The thing is in the Hellen Keller chapter, the illustrations of Keller keep showing her locking eyes with other people which is a bit strange. I'm not saying she should black holes where her eyes are or anything, but she keeps meeting people's gazes with her eyes.
September 22, 2019
A great read for kids looking to learn more about what activism is and how it creates change. The artwork matches perfectly. I could see this being fairly popular in my branch, both with kids and their caregivers. Works well as a stepping off point for more resources and education on different kinds of activism.
January 7, 2020
Great for kids to learn about kids who are activists and who have helped changed the world both past and present and it covered a variety of them. While each is short, I think this is great to start and then kids can research further about these people. This book is inspiring.
January 19, 2023
5 stars as a great addition to our homeschool unit on Activism and Overcoming Unconscious Bias. This book has several stories of change-makers, taking a stand against injustice in ways big and small.
March 4, 2022
Very US-centic and focused on civil rights, but also covers other areas of activism and a diverse range of activists.
August 20, 2020
I loved it! I learned about people I already knew and I learned about new people altogether!
February 7, 2020
This book is a beautiful introduction into the lives of heroes of social change. I would recommend it for any elementary school children. The stories are not incredibly long and detailed but will keep the attention of any child and have them begin to dream about ways they may be able to make the world a better place.
I would add this to any classroom or library and buy this for my child as well!
The publisher provided an ARC through Netgalley. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts
I would add this to any classroom or library and buy this for my child as well!
The publisher provided an ARC through Netgalley. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts
Want to read
May 3, 2019Kid Legends Series review…
Kid Legends is a multi-author, multi-illustrator series that is a big hit with students. The text and illustration have a casual style that often includes an undertone of sarcasm. Kid Legends is not as far over the edge or a busy as the “You Wouldn’t Want to be…” series, which I find annoying, but they use a little zest with the subject matter. This upbeat tone, even in the accounting of serious childhood struggles, maintains the positive message that all will come out okay for these kids who grow to be adults that make famous contributions to society. Each title (be it Kid Presidents, Kid Scientists, or Kid Authors) maintains a narrow focus on the childhood of the subjects, avoiding adult lives, and is even a little neglectful of their accomplishments as they sidestep any assessments of their talent, work, life or death. And there is the rub. While the books are fantastic at encouraging kids that the struggles of childhood are common through these enticing biographies, several of the subjects are inappropriate for children to engage with at this stage of their lives. Yet students laugh out loud, want to share tidbits, and thoroughly enjoy these titles. Even better, they are challenged to explore their own passions and interests!
Kid Activists Review....
Kid Legends is a multi-author, multi-illustrator series that is a big hit with students. The text and illustration have a casual style that often includes an undertone of sarcasm. Kid Legends is not as far over the edge or a busy as the “You Wouldn’t Want to be…” series, which I find annoying, but they use a little zest with the subject matter. This upbeat tone, even in the accounting of serious childhood struggles, maintains the positive message that all will come out okay for these kids who grow to be adults that make famous contributions to society. Each title (be it Kid Presidents, Kid Scientists, or Kid Authors) maintains a narrow focus on the childhood of the subjects, avoiding adult lives, and is even a little neglectful of their accomplishments as they sidestep any assessments of their talent, work, life or death. And there is the rub. While the books are fantastic at encouraging kids that the struggles of childhood are common through these enticing biographies, several of the subjects are inappropriate for children to engage with at this stage of their lives. Yet students laugh out loud, want to share tidbits, and thoroughly enjoy these titles. Even better, they are challenged to explore their own passions and interests!
Kid Activists Review....
May 6, 2022
This book in the series covers famous activists who were inspired during their childhoods to fight for an important cause. The first section deals with human rights, justice & equality & features Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Harvey Milk, & Dolores Huerta with one-page mentions on Harriet Tubman & Cesar Chavez. Section two covers those fighting poverty, discrimination, & oppression & tells about Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., James Baldwin, & Nelson Mandela. Section three relates the unusual childhood circumstances of Emma Watson, Janet Mock, Helen Keller, & Alexander Hamilton & how they touched the lives of others. And section four features kids who began their activism at an early age fighting for education, clean, water, & freedom & features Autumn Peltier, Iqbal Masih, Ruby Bridges, & Malala Yousafzai. These mini-biographies were so interesting & amazing how these heroes found their missions in life when they were barely school agers. Their determination & perseverance is inspirational. I really enjoyed the book.
November 20, 2019
Kid Activists is novel aimed at older elementary schoolers that I would recommend to any parents and educators who are looking to get children interested in activism and social change. Thanks so much to Quirk Books for giving this one away at your BookCon booth! Each activists' short biography focuses on stories from their youth and the influences that shaped them as they grew older. There's a special focus on details that will make these larger-than-life figures more relatable to young readers, with the overall message being that anyone can grow up to change the world.
The stories cut off rather abruptly once the activists reach adulthood, so I think this book should be supplemented with more in-depth research into each person's contributions. Overall, I enjoyed reading this one and I even learned about activists I hadn't heard of before, like Iqbal Masih and Autumn Peltier!
The stories cut off rather abruptly once the activists reach adulthood, so I think this book should be supplemented with more in-depth research into each person's contributions. Overall, I enjoyed reading this one and I even learned about activists I hadn't heard of before, like Iqbal Masih and Autumn Peltier!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2019
Latest in the series of "Kid Legends", the Kid Activists is a chapter book for upper elementary, MG readers. The book documents 16 activists and their biographies as children under following categories:
Leading the way : featuring Susan B Anthony, Dolores Huerta, Harvey Milk, F. Douglass
Taking a stand: featuring Rosa Parks, Dr. M.L. King, James Baldwin, N Mandela
Unusual childhoods, powerful voices: featuring Emma Watson, Janet Mock, H Keller, A Hamilton
Child activists: featuring Ruby Bridges, Iqbal Masih, Malala Yousafzai, Autumn Peltier
I have to admit being biased towards this entire series, so this one was easy to pick up and get absorbed into. I loved reading through some of the lesser known biographies here. Which one would you want to read?
Leading the way : featuring Susan B Anthony, Dolores Huerta, Harvey Milk, F. Douglass
Taking a stand: featuring Rosa Parks, Dr. M.L. King, James Baldwin, N Mandela
Unusual childhoods, powerful voices: featuring Emma Watson, Janet Mock, H Keller, A Hamilton
Child activists: featuring Ruby Bridges, Iqbal Masih, Malala Yousafzai, Autumn Peltier
I have to admit being biased towards this entire series, so this one was easy to pick up and get absorbed into. I loved reading through some of the lesser known biographies here. Which one would you want to read?
November 25, 2019
Good book for the kid activist in your life! -or a collection of biographies! I enjoyed reading about some new people in this book: Emma Watson (Harry Potter's Hermione actress) and the late Iqbal Masih (child slave). Very empowering tales for all ages. There are many others in this book, many of whom I've read about over the years (and recommended for reading! ). The anger and despair that grows such bravery and drives one to fight back is so admirable. It's amazing what one person can accomplish!
Well researched and written. Chapters aren't too long, but contain lots of info. I enjoyed the periodic illustrations, too.
Well researched and written. Chapters aren't too long, but contain lots of info. I enjoyed the periodic illustrations, too.
July 15, 2019
"Kid Activists" offers an interesting mix of well-known and lesser-known activists, mostly focused on the United States, although there are a few from other countries. I couldn't understand how all of the people included were "kid" activists. Did it mean they were activists before 18? 20? People who became activists at some point in their life, but were once children? I think this would have done better to focus on the Iqbal Masihs and Autumn Peltiers of the world - young people who are mostly unknown, but fighting to make a difference (current or historical).
January 12, 2022
3.5 rounded up. Book is appropriate for kids that can understand the issues the advocates stood up for at the very least. Some of the subjects younger children are not ready to contemplate, so learning about advocates in those areas wouldn't mean much to them, but would later in childhood. I don't think learning about Harvey Milk without also knowing about the violence against LGTBQ+ people and the AIDS epidemic is all that valuable beyond knowing that someone who stood up for others was also a child in the past as we all were.
July 30, 2019
This book was a breath of fresh air to this mom of two young kids! I work hard every day to raise my kids to be kind and accepting members of society. There needs to be more books like this that I can read with my children, so I can teach them about activism and real heroes they can try to embody in their actions.
March 16, 2020
A great read for kids looking to learn more about what activism is and how it creates change. The artwork matches perfectly. Kid Activists is a great introduction to those activists and can inspire kids to want to learn more about them.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me access to the ARC.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me access to the ARC.
July 26, 2019
I would recommend this book for an individual lesson but more so a goal-oriented class project. Personally, I think this would make a great graduation portfolio for students going into Intermediate and High School.
January 7, 2020
Love this book so much! The illustrations are absolutely exquisit. I bought a copy for my niece then had to get another for myself. I love how you can flip through the pages and the illustrations tell the stories of these amazing activists! It's a must purchase!
September 22, 2020
These short stories have inspired me to fight for what I think is right. These strong people are role models, I have even choosen some of them to look up to, not because I just want to look up to someone, because I know that these activists have effected my life in many ways.
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June 4, 2021This was an informational book about activism of all types. Good book for a report for middle or high skill students. Also good for adults who may be interested in background information into learning more.
June 20, 2019
Source: ARC from BookCon
August 27, 2019
Great read about the childhood of avtivists from around the world!
December 7, 2019
I read this book to my 1st through 3rd grade class. They loved this book, especially the chapters about children who were children when they were activists. I would highly recommend this book.
January 2, 2020
Brief biographies of activists. Focuses on their childhoods. Most figures were known to me but some where unknown.
June 12, 2020
I learned so much!
August 24, 2020
Amazing book, I learned a lot
September 22, 2020
Great book! Very good for learning about activists!
December 1, 2021
AMAZING
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews