No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History

by Lindsay H. Metcalf (Co-Editor), Keila V. Dawson (Co-Editor), Jeanette Bradley (Co-Editor, Illustrator)

Fans of We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices will love meeting fourteen young activists who have stepped up to make change in their community and the United States.

Mari Copeny demanded clean water in Flint. Jazz Jennings insisted, as a transgirl, on playing soccer with the girls' team. From Viridiana Sanchez Santos's quinceañera demonstration against anti-immigrant policy to Zach Wahls's moving declaration that his two moms and he were a family like any other, No Voice Too Small celebrates the young people who know how to be the change they seek. Fourteen poems honor these young activists. Featuring poems by Lesléa Newman, Traci Sorell, and Nikki Grimes. Additional text goes into detail about each youth activist's life and how readers can get involved.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Social Justice, Activism, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Lindsay H. Metcalf is a journalist and award-winning author of nonfiction picture books: BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST, a Mighty Girl Best Book of 2020 and Young People’s Literature Award winner from the Friends of American Writers Chicago; FARMERS UNITE! Planting a Protest for Fair Prices, a Kansas Notable Book, Friends of American Writers honoree, NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book, and Junior Library Guild selection; and NO VOICE TOO SMALL: Fourteen Young Americans Making History, a Kirkus and Chicago Public Library Best Book, Notable Social Studies Trade Book, and NCTE Notable Poetry Book. NO WORLD TOO BIG: Young People Fighting Global Climate Change, a poetry anthology from the team behind No Voice Too Small, is forthcoming in spring 2023. Lindsay lives in Kansas with her husband, two sons, and a variety of pets. Reach her at lindsayhmetcalf.com and @lindsayhmetcalf on Twitter and Instagram.

Reviews

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is inspiring. These kids are inspiring. I LOVED reading their stories. It's written in a picture book format, but it is chocked full of awesomeness.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each double spread provides a powerful poem about the featured young activist, with parallel text in smaller font that describes the actual young leader and his/her effort to improve the world as it exists.
There are select quotes in the back pages and their individual voices call out to readers to learn more, do more, and step into leadership shoes to make the world a better place.

[Monica Clark-Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this book. It's always terrific when a children's book combines multiple areas of learning. This one is rich with content for kids: poetry, biography, civic leadership, social justice, etc. The lovely poems by various authors are written in multiple poetry forms, increasing readers' understanding of what poetry can be. And the biographical info about the amazing children featured is just the right amount to make the poems more impactful. The excellent art is appealing, bright, and very child-friendly. I think kids will come away from reading this book inspired and ready to be leaders themselves. This will be a great resource for parents and teachers looking to show their young readers how they, too, can change the world.

[Melanie Ellsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is rich for many re-reads! On one read, you may find yourself absorbed by all the inspiring quotes on the end pages from the fourteen diverse young people featured in this book. On another read, you may get lost in each person's story and be amazed by all they accomplished at such a young age. On a third read, you might ponder why a certain type of poem was paired with a certain person. And finally, you might read again for the concrete action step that accompanies each story, empowering the reader to join in and make change in our world. An inspiring book - worth reading again and again.

[A.J. Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. NO VOICE TOO SMALL: FOURTEEN YOUNG AMERICANS MAKING HISTORY is an incredible collection of empowering poems that were inspired by young activists. The book includes a variety of topics and representation. Young readers will feel fired up about creating change in their communities after reading this beautiful picture book.

The back matter includes definitions of the poetry forms that appear in the book as well as bios of the poets, and how each author personally relates to the young activist who inspired their poem.

“No voice is too small to solve a problem that’s big. Change ripples forward.”

Such a powerful message to the next generation of changemakers. NO VOICE TO SMALL is a much-needed book for schools, libraries, and home libraries. Highly recommend!

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History is a children's picture book edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley, who doubles as the illustrator. It is a collection of tributes written in prose and poetry to children and teens of today who have spoken out to support a cause or protest injustice.

The text is rather simplistic, straightforward, informative, and poetic. It is a collection of fourteen poems – one for each candidate with a laudatory paragraph and a probing question left for the young reader. Backmatter includes an addition mini biography of each of the fourteen children activists chosen and the poetic forms used. Bradley's soft-focus portrait that digitally emulates chalk and pastels on a textured brown background was rendered wonderfully.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. This anthology of biographical poems was written wonderfully in many different forms like free verse, reverso, cinquain, and tanka. The fourteen young Americans mentioned are: DJ Annie Red, Ziad Ahmed, Judy Adams, Levi Draheim, Jazz Jennings, Cierra Fields, Noah Barnes, Jasilyn Charger, Mari Copeny, Zach Wahls, Nza-Ari Khepra, Viridiana Sanchez Santos, Adora Svitak, and Marley Dias.

All in all, No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History is a wonderful collection of young Americans who took action and change their world.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only is each of the fourteen young people featured in this book inspiring, the book itself has very high production values. The stories are told in verse, and are superbly illustrated.

[Beth Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diversity! Of styles and formats of poetry by a wide range of poets. Diversity! Of young people taking a stand. Diversity! Of causes and actions! Diverse voices speaking up, sharing their passions, and inspiring change. Short narratives on each of the young people featured provide great examples for kids. I’m so grateful for kids like these who lead the way! A powerful classroom resource!

[Vicky Fang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It tells the story of fourteen young American activists through poems created by diverse and talented poets. It has so many layers, from the language, to the poetic structures, to the stories and messages of young activists and how they enacted change. The poems are powerful and accessible for kids, and each page has a small action item that a kid can take to make a difference. This is such a rich, powerful, and inspiring book that would make a great addition to any bookshelf.

[Mary Copp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful and creative nonfiction picture book features fourteen young and courageous activists and how each of them made a difference in such diverse ways. A poem accompanies each child’s story with a sidebar of additional information as well as tips for readers about speaking up and making a difference, too! A very empowering and encouraging book for young people. Bradley’s illustrations are perfectly paired for each of these inspiring activists. Highly recommended!

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

What to say about NO VOICE TOO SMALL. This is such an inspiring book with so many hooks, perfect for classroom and home. The book profiles 14 American youth who are raising their voices to make change in the world. Fourteen different poets have written poems, one about each youth, using a variety of poetry styles, which are explained in the backmatter. Each spread also offers a tip for students wishing to become changemakers themselves. The youth profiled represent the ethnic and cultural diversity of America, and each poem is crafted by a poet reflecting their identity. Honestly, I can hardly read this social justice book without tearing up each and every time when I think about the powerful voices our children weild. No voice too small, indeed.

[Lauren Kerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO VOICE TOO SMALL: FOURTEEN YOUNG AMERICANS MAKING HISTORY is not only a beautiful, important book about advocacy and the voices of our future, it is also a wonderful introduction to different forms of poetry.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! This book is great to share with young people to inspire them to speak up. They have a voice worth hearing and can change the world!

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The addition of suggested actions is welcome.

[Tina Cho · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction poetic picture book showcases fourteen young American children who stood up for matters important to them. Each young person has a beautiful poem written about them, a sidebar of facts, and a small tip of advice for speaking up. Bradley’s illustrations of each child are beautifully drawn. Use this book to encourage people of all ages to be the change in their community.

[Kjersten · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational collection of poems that shares the stories of young activists who each saw a problem or an injustice and took action to make the world better. The poems invite readers to consider how they might also look for ways in their own lives and communities to work toward social justice. Between each biography in the book, questions directed toward the reader have the potential to spark conversation, self-reflection, and possible action. With a range of voices, causes, and passions, this book is a great way for kids to feel empowered to make a positive difference in the world.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully done anthology of 14 brief profiles with matched poems of different forms, telling the stories of a diverse group of young activists. The poems are wonderful, the illustrations are gorgeous, and the book as a whole is inspiring.

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bite sized bios and tribute poems introduce us to fourteen young people who saw a problem..and did something about it. Inspiring.

[Debra Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several authors collaborated with this book, each writing a beautiful prose or poem about amazing young American citizens who are changing the world in their own unique way. I loved the concrete poem by Carole Boston Weatherford about Mari Copey, who when eight, asked President Obama for help when the water in her community was not fit to drink. Charles Waters spoke about DJ Annie Red's fight against bullying, Lindsay H. Metcalf used tanka style to tell how Noah Barnes marched for diabetes, Nikki Grimes tells how Marley Dias started the Thousand Black Girl Books campaign, collecting diverse books for schools and libraries, and nine other authors wrote about nine more young Americans who made a difference in their communities and in the world. Jeanette Bradley did a beautiful job with the illustrations. I also liked how each story was told in different styled verses, such as a ballad, free verse, haiku, and reverso. After reading these young people's stories, I'm inspired, and am hopeful for the world.

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard a lot about this book and had been wanting to read it for a while. I am happy to report that it’s even better than I knew it would be and the perfect conversation starter.

A stunning book celebrating fourteen young activists. This book beautifully shows readers that no matter how small, no matter how young, they have the power to make big change. This one is sure to inspire the next generation and is complete with details on how readers can get involved.

[NoNieqa Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this tumultuous world, children will be comforted, encouraged, and inspired to know that they matter and that they can change the world. A diverse range of #ownvoices creators write poems honoring each activist. Teachers can discuss with students how each poetic form showcases each activist and students can write their own poems as well. Side bars contain easily consumed facts and tidbits of advice for emulating the activist. The young heroes celebrated in this book champion human rights for marginalized and oppressed communities including the Black, Latinx, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Bradley's beautiful illustrations radiate with the message of hope, joy, and empowerment.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Charlesbridge through Edelweiss+.
Fourteen poets honor fourteen young people making a difference in America and the world. Each poet honors an activist with a poem in the style of their choice. Short paragraphs about each young person and one of their quotes complete each 2-page spread. Illustrations bring them and their causes to life.
Readers are challenged to see them through the poems and will be motivated to learn more. A call for future activism. Bios of the poets and a glossary of the poetry types is included at the end.
Great read alouds for middle grade readers to trigger discussions.

[Emma M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the book to pick up for a quick read through. Instead it is a title that you will want to savor and explore. I really appreciated the wide variety of young adults represented and we finished feeling not only inspired, but empowered. The book is ultimately a call to action to make this world better than you found it!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much inspiration and diversity and love wrapped up in one book! In this book we are introduced to fourteen young activists through a poem, additional information, and a call to action. This is a book that will be read over and over again, and each read will continue to inspire and inform.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the Causes, Not the Poems

I admire the idea and the causes that are represented but I really didn't like the poems. They seemed forced and contrived and not enjoyable at all. I kept thinking throughout the book, do I have to pretend I enjoy these poems? Maybe the next one will be better. It wasn't. I really didn't like the poems. Maybe they should have not focused so much on poem forms, and focus on poems that move the reader.

[Larissa Marantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO VOICE TOO SMALL is the book our children need now. An engaging and wonderful collection of truly inspirational poems that features the stories of 14 young American activists and how they used their voices to make a difference in their worlds. Their courage and their passion are shared through the poetic voices of a diverse group of authors. A must have for any educators book shelf.

[Julie Hedlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there is a book for children more suited for our times than NO VOICE TOO SMALL, I can't think of it. Children need, more than ever, to know they don't have to wait for adults to do the right thing or advocate for change. They can make change for themselves! Each story in the book is inspirational, but also gorgeously written by multiple authors employing varying poetic forms. A must read!

[Jenna Grodzicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect book to inspire kids to take action. Children may often feel they're too small to effect real change. This book will show them otherwise. Fourteen real children, ranging in age from six to nineteen are featured in this poetry collection. Each child used their voice to help others. The combination of moving poems and beautiful illustrations make this book a must have.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for everyone!

[Kerri Kokias · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice collections of poems and short bios introducing readers to 14 young change-makers. Perfect for empowering young voices during challenging times.