This Book Will (Help You) Change the World

by Sue Turton, Alice Skinner (illustrator)

Protest injustice.
Campaign for change.
Vote for your future.

Featuring contributions from C4 anchor Jon Snow, Avaaz.com founder Jeremy Heimans, leader of Hong Kong's Umbrella Revolution Joshua Wong and more, this is the powerhouse guide to politics and activism you've been waiting for.

Award-winning journalist Sue Turton explains the political system that rules our daily lives while also pointing out its flaws - and empowers readers to change the status quo. Disrupt the system from within by joining political parties or inspire change through protest. Either way, this guide shows you how to avoid fake news, triumph in debates and grab the spotlight so your campaign can change the world.

Includes hilarious tongue-in-cheek illustrations from activist-illustrator Alice Skinner.

Genres: Nonfiction

303 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 2017

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow.

[Christine Spoors · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely brilliant book! It's aimed at teenagers, giving them an introduction to the political system in the UK and then moving on to talk about how they can make a difference in the world. Despite being older than it's target audience I really learned a lot from this book. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone in the UK looking to learn more about the political system and making a difference.

The book is filled with illustrations from Alice Skinner and I really liked that. They really helped emphasise a lot of the author's points and helped break the book up a little bit. It didn't feel like I was reading a close to 300 page book about politics. It was really accessible and I wish I'd read a book like this when I was in high school!

Thank you to Wren & Rook for sending me a copy of this book, I'm not sure I would have found this otherwise and I'm so glad that I read it.

[Educateempower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of us don’t – especially young people – and this book is here to help.

This book will (help you) change the world by Sue Turton has been written with young adults in mind, but many adults will also benefit from what is inside.

Part one of this book outlines the political system of the UK. If you are not in the U.K, don’t let this put you off. There are many parallels in the two systems and Sue Turton only dwells on the details of the UK parliamentary system for a couple of pages.

Part one also looks at why you need to know the system to play a role, why the system is broken and how young people can play a role in a political party.

Part Two is excellent. It is this section that will empower young readers to take action – but take action that is planned, thoughtful and to the point. Sue Turton outlines the different ways people can take action that will make a difference and the importance of voicing your opinions that will be listened to (well researched, coherent and less blame-more action based)

Activism is a key part to this book and many young adults will walk away from this feeling that they can make a difference in the world they live in. This book does have a lot of links (websites, references to events) to the U.K. but they can all be transferred to the country you live in so don’t be put off.

Why are books like this important?

Many young people often feel that they can’t speak up because either they don’t understand how the system works, they speak too soon before they have thought how they can best tackle an issue or they are worried about the ramifications of speaking up.

We need to empower young people to speak up but teach them to speak up in the right way. We don’t want them to hurt others verbally or physically to make a point, we don’t want them caught up in the wrong group to make a point either. Being informed is important and this book teaches children how to do that.

Sue Turton’s This book will (help you)change the world is a great book to accompany any classroom that is looking at democracy, debating or human rights issues – it will inform and inspire future leaders.

[Xinyi WU · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finally finished this book today on the metro. It has been an awfully busy month, with teachers not knowing when is the last lesson and rushing us towards our final courseworks. All this plus the lack of sleep all made me quite irritated and felt even more negative towards this book.
I would happily give this god damn book to anyone who would like a simplified view at both the political system and the society. I understand that this book is aimed for younger readers. However it focuses so much on ‘democracy’, the ways to protest and how to aim your anger rightly, with only the ending chapter reminding the youngster of being rational, and not overwhelmed by their anger and debate.
People’s voice need to be heard, I totally agree on that. However, too much un-organised democracy will not only lead to the great inconvenience of the others, but also to violence. On the other hand, who can say which is right which is not? If one can protest, we can protest back, and let us hope this is not going to turn into a riot in the end.
I might be pessimistic regarding human being’s power of controlling their own temper, but we have seen too much violence starting from a protest. I just don’t have that confidence in anyone.
One more thing, consider the writer probably did not know the whole story of many of her examples in the book, as she is not a part of each and every example. I am not very convinced by them. I happen to know that there are many different ‘truths’ behind the same event.
I do not know about the others. But when the Parisians were parading the city for whatever reason it might be, I am not going to support them if they cost a huge inconvenience to my everyday life. With the underground station being closed and bus station being abandoned, shops closed, and me crossing the street among the protestors. I really do not think I would like to support whoever posing an obstacle in my everyday life, violating my freedom in the name of their own.

[Matt Clough · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this book was read by every kid by the time they finished high school, the nation would be so much better for it. It's so concise and informative about out political system, and it has the ability to arm young people with the powers they need to, well, change the world.
It only took me a few hours to read, over 2 sittings, and I liked how snappy it all was. The book is filled with illustrations, which compliment the chatty language employed by Turton and make it an entertaining experience. The use of some more vulgar language solidifies that the book is intended for a teenage audience which gives the writer additional credibility, like the understand their demographic.
Furthermore, use of case studies which are so recent, such as the 2017 general election reminds the reader that the book's all about today and not some political science textbook analysing politics. It's a handbook for getting involved, making your mark, and helping to make the world a better place.
My criticisms are only that I'd like there to be some more in-depth content for more astute young people, and there were times when it felt like the writer hadn't done proper research about some of her activism suggestions, for example how she explained the use of snapchat to further one's campaign.
Overall, this book comes highly recommended to the entire of the UK's secondary school population.

[Genicah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read this late 2023; wherein a dictator’s son became the President of the Philippines after winning the 2022 elections.
This country hasn’t even recovered yet from the dirty works of former president Duterte :( Trying times in my country indeed & I can very much attest how the views & points in this book are accurate.

I’ve always been politically vocal; but many times, I get tired of voicing out. Things are bit complicated when the opposition is faced with fake news & dirty strategies, but this book has reminded me of how a single stand can make a difference. And how the youth is a key source to change. [Only the young by Taylor Swift]

I love how this book provides historical example of how a simple act can change a system. It’s good to be reminded from time to time indeed.

Rating this 4/5 a bit dragging but I finished this in one sitting. Worth the read; a great refresher! ⭐️

[Lisa Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a teenager I was incredibly unaware of the world around me. If it didn’t involve the Sweet Valley High Series or the Spice Girls I didn’t really know about it. Thankfully, teenagers of today seem to be less shallow than I was and do seem to care about the bigger things. That is why I really wish This Book Will (Help You) Change the World was around when I was younger.

It is the kind of book that opens up the world of politics and explains things in an understandable way and then encourages you to make your own opinion. This should be used as a textbook in school to equip our young people with the knowledge on the power that they hold and how even as young people they can make a difference.

It is a quick read with real life examples in it. A must have for all school libraries.

This Book Will (Help You) Change the World by Sue Turton is available now.

[Momin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimed at a teenage/young adult audience, which takes them through the various facets of politics and activism. The primary focus is on UK politics however it also covers various other politic ideologies as well as different kinds of ways people can campaign and protest. Despite being aimed at a younger audience, anyone of any age can pick it up to get clued in. The illustrations helped to keep the content engaging in a fun way. Recommended for everyone to get a broader perspective on how the world works and what to do if we want to take it into our own hands.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but I believe it was for a different demographic. I already knew a lot of the information provided, since I studied journalism in London leading up to the 2015 General Election.

However, I appreciate that this book empowers young people and that it contains a lot of useful tips for government change and protest all in one place. The design of the book is fun and makes the text very digestible.

I'm sure I'll dive back in for a fun fact or a top tip in the future.

[Bok McDonagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to politics aimed at a younger audience. It is very specific to the UK, so will be less informative to those outside the country.

Though it is left-leaning (which, disclaimer: I'm not opposed to), the goal of this book is to get younger people into politics, rather than to tell them who to vote for or how to vote. It is an informative and easy to digest book that can help anyone get into British politics.

[I Read, Therefore I Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this uneven and at times condescending book (illustrated by Alice Skinner) that seems skewered towards the left wing and is aimed at teenagers, TV reporter Sue Turton sets out a description of the U.K. political system and then more successfully describes the various ways that teenagers can engage with it through debating and campaigning in order to try and change it.

[Jessikah Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kinda wanted this book to have a bit MORE to it. A great beginning step into politics and debating but more anecdotes, case studies and umph would have helped. As always, I love the Wren & Rook style and the illustrations are gorgeous.

[Stuart Hargreaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book as well as entertaining it is also informative. Although I do not agree with certain aspects of the book it is worth reading to understand how the masses can change the establishment. There are many useful tips and thought provoking chapters.

[Liam Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better suited to the younger target audience or those with a limited knowledge of British politics. A very simple guide with the key info needed to understand the system and how to create change in different aspects

[Viktorija Rutkauskaitė · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is useful for the girls who are interested in politics and the idea of changing the world. Well, the book was not for me.

[Kitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating 3.5💫

[Mrs Reddy Mallender-Katzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of forgot i was reading it, didnt get half way ... it's for younger readers anyway and i think it's a terrific book for them im just too old for it

[Annybell Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro muy inspirador, aunque no vivas en Inglaterra, este libro te ayudará , te impulsará, y hasta te sacará una lágrima y muchas ganas de luchar.

[Ellie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing!

It has been such an inspiration in my life these past few days and It's got me revving for summer :)

[Katrina Southern · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Every so often I will stumble across a book that feels like a book that should be in schools everywhere. This feels like one of those books. When I was at school I very clearly remember how little we talked about and studied politics. Apart from one afternoon when local MPs came in to talk about the importance of voting (I went to an all girls school and it was quite satisfying watching the smirking, patronising faces of three men slowly fall as the questions being were asked were intelligent and relavent and actually challenged them), there was nothing on the British political system.

What Turton has created heroes a guide that lets young people with very little exposure to politics begin to learn about, experience and hopefully challenge things in the future. I loved the way the book was divided up and I think its a very effective in providing the tools for teenagers and beyond to start thinking about how they can effect change for the things they care about. Obviously being aimed at teenagers this was a very simplistic overview and more reading would be required to fully explore the topic. It's a start though.

[Amberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book helpfully to everyone who want learn about law and politics. I found story interesting and helpfully to understand politics. I love the cover.