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Right Now!: Real Kids Speaking Up for Change – An Inspiring Picture Book About Young Activists for Kids
A joyful, inspiring picture book that introduces readers to eleven young people from around the world who didn’t wait until they were grown to speak up about things that matter to them and change the world for the better, from an award-winning author and New York Times best-selling illustrator.
From climate activist Greta Thunberg to anti-bullying advocate Jaylen Arnold to peace activist Bana Alabed and more, these short profiles of young people and their causes will inspire readers to think about what matters most to them. An author's note, Actions to Make a Difference, and additional resources are also included, providing a roadmap for any kid who wants to make change and help others too.
From climate activist Greta Thunberg to anti-bullying advocate Jaylen Arnold to peace activist Bana Alabed and more, these short profiles of young people and their causes will inspire readers to think about what matters most to them. An author's note, Actions to Make a Difference, and additional resources are also included, providing a roadmap for any kid who wants to make change and help others too.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 7, 2021
1 person is currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 16, 2021
Right Now!: Real Kids Speaking Up for Change is a children's picture book written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Brittany Jackson. It is a collection of eleven tributes written in simple language to children innovators that did not wait to be adults to make change.
The text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. It is a collection of eleven young tributes from across the world and from diverse nationalities with a double page spread per person with little factoids sparse throughout the page. Backmatter includes an author's note, action to make a difference, and additional resources. Paul's soft-focus portrait emulates the subjects rather well with detail backgrounds.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. This anthology of biographical tributes was written wonderfully with much information sparse between the pages without making it feel too heavy and cover subjects like climate change, homelessness, immigration, racism, sexism, education, LGBTQ rights, and overall equality.
The eleven young tribuites mentioned are: Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, Robby Novak, Jonas Corona, Jazz Jennings, Sophie Cruz, Jaylen Arnold, Zulaikha Patel, Angela Zhang, Bana Alabed, and Sophie Cruz.
All in all, Right Now!: Real Kids Speaking Up for Change is a wonderful collection of young activists that didn't wait until being adults to change the world.
The text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. It is a collection of eleven young tributes from across the world and from diverse nationalities with a double page spread per person with little factoids sparse throughout the page. Backmatter includes an author's note, action to make a difference, and additional resources. Paul's soft-focus portrait emulates the subjects rather well with detail backgrounds.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. This anthology of biographical tributes was written wonderfully with much information sparse between the pages without making it feel too heavy and cover subjects like climate change, homelessness, immigration, racism, sexism, education, LGBTQ rights, and overall equality.
The eleven young tribuites mentioned are: Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, Robby Novak, Jonas Corona, Jazz Jennings, Sophie Cruz, Jaylen Arnold, Zulaikha Patel, Angela Zhang, Bana Alabed, and Sophie Cruz.
All in all, Right Now!: Real Kids Speaking Up for Change is a wonderful collection of young activists that didn't wait until being adults to change the world.
November 10, 2021
Its really good book i like it :DDD:DD:D:D:D:D:D:DD:DD:DD:D:D:D:D:D:D :DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
November 18, 2024
Summary: This picture bookwritten by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Bea Jackson, a local Michigan illustrator. The book features eleven inspiring young activists, including Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, and Jaylen Arnold, who are making significant impacts on various social issues such as climate change, education, and equality. Each profile is presented on a double-page spread, complete with engaging factoids and quotes that highlight the commitment of these young innovators. The language is simple and approachable, making it easy for young readers to connect with the content. The book's backmatter includes an author's note, actionable steps for making a difference, and resources for further exploration.
Jackson's illustrations beautifully capture the diverse backgrounds of the featured activists, showcasing their determination and passion through colorful and relatable imagery. Her artwork brings a dynamic energy to the pages, enhancing the overall message of empowerment and hope. Overall, this book serves as a motivating reminder that age is no barrier to making a positive change in the world.
Straight Talk for Librarians: School librarians can effectively integrate "Right Now!: Real Kids Speaking Up for Change" into the curriculum by using it as a springboard for discussions on social justice and activism. Librarians can organize thematic reading sessions focused on the issues highlighted in the book, encouraging students to explore topics like climate change, equality, and bullying. This can be supplemented with research projects where students investigate local or global initiatives related to these themes. Additionally, librarians can host workshops where students create their own activism projects inspired by the young activists in the book, fostering a sense of agency and community involvement. Collaborating with teachers, librarians can also align these activities with curricular goals in social studies, language arts, and art classes, enhancing interdisciplinary learning. By promoting this book, librarians can empower students to recognize their potential as changemakers and engage them in meaningful conversations about the world around them.
https://libresbooksmi.blogspot.com/20...
Jackson's illustrations beautifully capture the diverse backgrounds of the featured activists, showcasing their determination and passion through colorful and relatable imagery. Her artwork brings a dynamic energy to the pages, enhancing the overall message of empowerment and hope. Overall, this book serves as a motivating reminder that age is no barrier to making a positive change in the world.
Straight Talk for Librarians: School librarians can effectively integrate "Right Now!: Real Kids Speaking Up for Change" into the curriculum by using it as a springboard for discussions on social justice and activism. Librarians can organize thematic reading sessions focused on the issues highlighted in the book, encouraging students to explore topics like climate change, equality, and bullying. This can be supplemented with research projects where students investigate local or global initiatives related to these themes. Additionally, librarians can host workshops where students create their own activism projects inspired by the young activists in the book, fostering a sense of agency and community involvement. Collaborating with teachers, librarians can also align these activities with curricular goals in social studies, language arts, and art classes, enhancing interdisciplinary learning. By promoting this book, librarians can empower students to recognize their potential as changemakers and engage them in meaningful conversations about the world around them.
https://libresbooksmi.blogspot.com/20...
August 29, 2022
The cover is wrapped with images of the named examples whose brief profiles demonstrate the power of a committed young voice with following actions, but every single page reveals who the YOU of direct address text might be: diverse in age, ethnicity, ability, issue, and pursuit.
The common denominators for the various images are their smiles, their determined expressions, and their unity in support of each other. More than sixteen individual examples are shared, with each example providing a brief background story, a direct quotation (cited in back matter), and a continuity of the general text which frames the individual as a potential "you", including the circumstances that led to the individual activism on behalf of a wider community. Those commitments ranged from medical discoveries to making life-needs available to the hungry and unhoused, to global causes like immigration, rights of girls and women, treatment of those with disabilities/differences, and basic kindness.
Backmatter includes a brief author note (with that challenge to adults), tagged ways-to-speak-up for eleven of the issues spotlighted within the profiles, a simple glossary, and bibliography with quotation sources. Paul has a polished talent for presenting nonfiction content in accessible, appealing ways that "speak" naturally to young readers without patronizing or oversimplifying. That is enhanced by the gifted art of illustrator Jackson. The colorful, recognizable images of these diverse, specific examples are couched in identifiable situations and settings, with a comfortable realism but a slight/inspiring glow to their demeanors. These, and the general characters throughout, could be found in any school anywhere, and they are. It matters that we (adults) recognize that in them, and help young people recognize in themselves the voices and interests that can change the world. A book like this is a ticket to begin that journey.
The common denominators for the various images are their smiles, their determined expressions, and their unity in support of each other. More than sixteen individual examples are shared, with each example providing a brief background story, a direct quotation (cited in back matter), and a continuity of the general text which frames the individual as a potential "you", including the circumstances that led to the individual activism on behalf of a wider community. Those commitments ranged from medical discoveries to making life-needs available to the hungry and unhoused, to global causes like immigration, rights of girls and women, treatment of those with disabilities/differences, and basic kindness.
Backmatter includes a brief author note (with that challenge to adults), tagged ways-to-speak-up for eleven of the issues spotlighted within the profiles, a simple glossary, and bibliography with quotation sources. Paul has a polished talent for presenting nonfiction content in accessible, appealing ways that "speak" naturally to young readers without patronizing or oversimplifying. That is enhanced by the gifted art of illustrator Jackson. The colorful, recognizable images of these diverse, specific examples are couched in identifiable situations and settings, with a comfortable realism but a slight/inspiring glow to their demeanors. These, and the general characters throughout, could be found in any school anywhere, and they are. It matters that we (adults) recognize that in them, and help young people recognize in themselves the voices and interests that can change the world. A book like this is a ticket to begin that journey.
April 29, 2024
Just the cover alone provides for representation of different cultures, showing everyone together working towards a great message. I like that the story shows different perspectives and experiences of children across the world. The story mentions society wanting others to stay quiet but shows how these kids surpassed their blockings and conflicts. We get to hear from so many students who speak for all, we see different cultures, physical disabilities, and any other situations and how these kids were able to concur and be a voice for everyone. I love the including of sexualities as well, and not focusing on their differences, but how they were treated, how they can be better treated, and how to continue making change. The story gives many positive, encouraging messages to its readers, and I find this inspiring and very well done. It is still entertaining for students and holds attention.
March 23, 2022
A book showing the world the impact kids can have when they put their mind to it
An inspirational book about your voice, no matter how young it is, can not only be heard, but can be the voice that leads the way to change. Telling the story of many different kids who have confronted many different issues, I feel this book is the perfect book for teachers to use when their students say they feel like they'll never amount to anything.
Check it out if you get the chance
An inspirational book about your voice, no matter how young it is, can not only be heard, but can be the voice that leads the way to change. Telling the story of many different kids who have confronted many different issues, I feel this book is the perfect book for teachers to use when their students say they feel like they'll never amount to anything.
Check it out if you get the chance
Read
September 13, 2021A collection biography and a timely celebration of kid activists and the many ways they've used their voices to stand up for causes they care about and make the world a better place. It explores concepts like climate change, racism, and sexism in simple, kid-accessible terms without talking down to readers. The illustrations are pure joy!
January 17, 2023
4.5 Genuinely inspiring. I feel better somehow after reading this book! 🌻Despite the wide range of areas discussed, instead of feeling like there are so many problems with our world, I feel like there are endless opportunities to help, ways to get involved, and a future for our planet and species that could be compassionate and conscientious. An uplifting and empowering book.
October 18, 2021
A wonderful collection of short, poetic biographies of contemporary kid activists. With sweet, inviting illustrations and accessible text, this book tackles tough issues at a level appropriate for young grade schoolers, and will inspire readers to make a difference in their own communities.
December 31, 2021
I just love how this book starts. Asking kids not to think about the future, but what can they do right now? I have so many places I hope that I can use this book in my teaching. Also loved the back matter with lots of ideas of how you can help right now.
March 22, 2022
Very easy, yet informative picture book about young people who are making a positive difference in the world. Covers many different types of causes that you can be passionate about and reminds readers they are never too young to start.
April 17, 2025
An easy, thoughtful introduction to real kids, and ways that kids today can get involved and make a difference.
(For my people who need to know about possible controversy- One of the kids mentioned in the book is transgender.)
(For my people who need to know about possible controversy- One of the kids mentioned in the book is transgender.)
Want to Read
March 25, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
October 24, 2021
I love that it starts out by asking "what do you want to do right now?"
Spotlights kid activists.
Spotlights kid activists.
Read
November 23, 2021Love the focus of real kids across the globe making change in the world
July 17, 2022
Portraits of eleven young actvisits from around the world.
March 13, 2023
A wonderful collection of short profiles of kids who spoke up for change in their communities such as Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai.
August 16, 2023
Great layered text gorgeous illustrations
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews