What do you think?
Rate this book
Cramm This Book: So You Know WTF Is Going On in the World Today
The stories and history behind the news today, from one of Gen Z's leading voices--because you can't change the world if you don't know what's going on!
Take a stand! Raise your voice! Join the movement and change the world!
But first--know what's actually going on in it.
Read this book for the scoop behind the scoop of the day: for the context you need to understand everything from the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East to the origins of Black Lives Matter and Me Too to the full deal with all of the wildfires and hurricanes we see each year.
From the founder of The Cramm, a news outlet by and for a new generation, comes a dive into the history that's shaped the world as it is today, looking at the wars, the movements, the disasters, and more--the points that have set the stage for what we see and read in the news on a daily basis.
Are you ready to take to the streets and take on the world? Then Cramm This Book and get going.
What are you waiting for?
Take a stand! Raise your voice! Join the movement and change the world!
But first--know what's actually going on in it.
Read this book for the scoop behind the scoop of the day: for the context you need to understand everything from the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East to the origins of Black Lives Matter and Me Too to the full deal with all of the wildfires and hurricanes we see each year.
From the founder of The Cramm, a news outlet by and for a new generation, comes a dive into the history that's shaped the world as it is today, looking at the wars, the movements, the disasters, and more--the points that have set the stage for what we see and read in the news on a daily basis.
Are you ready to take to the streets and take on the world? Then Cramm This Book and get going.
What are you waiting for?
272 pages, Hardcover
Published February 15, 2022
32 people are currently reading
1796 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 20, 2022
Cramm This Book is a truly exemplary piece of non-fiction. It remains accessible, engaging and authentic to a Gen-Z voice without ever feeling condescending or forced. Seltzer, after more than 4 years of being the sole writer of The Cramm is a seasoned and immensely talented writer, and her incredibly distinctive and highly commanding voice shines through this entire book. Cramm This Book explores issues that are inescapably important in today's political context with compassion, nuance, depth of understanding and faultless balance. Deeply informative and deeply moving, Cramm This Book is the ideal guide for any young person that wants to be an agent of change, or simply wants to do better in their politics and government classes. That being said, anyone and everyone should read this book, if simply because for an 18-year-old to nearly flawlessly capture some of the most pressing and complex issues in the world in a medium that is both impeccably researched and analysed and completely enthralling, rife with the kind of command over language that is rarely associated with people Seltzer's age, is a feat worth celebrating. While The Cramm has already demonstrated that Olivia is, without question, an incredibly successful and inspiring young person, Cramm This Book shows that she is, irrefutably, the voice of a generation.
December 17, 2024
This book was very informative, and talked about various topics without showing too much bias toward one side. everything was factual, political and historical; which I appreciated. It was interesting reading from a perspective similar to my own, someone the same age as me wrote this book; and therefore had a lot of the same viewpoints as me. Each section was set up in a way that was easy to follow and to read.
June 3, 2024
This book was composed of many different summaries of modern historical events, like the Civil Rights movements and Arab Spring, which made worldwide headlines in many news journals. Reading this felt like being walked through a road of newspapers, and Seltzer wasn't as much of a narrator but a tour guide. This book empowers all, especially Generation Z, to define a cause to fight for and change the world, hence her statement of "you can't change the world if you don't know about it". Being more aware of what has happened broadened my understanding of what needs to be done in society today.
February 15, 2022
Fun Fact: In high school/college my dream was to be a journalist. I’ve always been fascinated by the media and the stories we are/aren’t being told when we consume any media, but especially the news. When I learned about Cramm this Book I was excited to read it!
If you aren’t familiar with The Cramm, it was created by then 13 year old Olivia Seltzer as a news outlet for Gen Z to share what is happening in the world and inspire them to make a difference. This book tackles important topics from history and today - topics such as racism, the
Me Too Movement, conflict in the Middle East and so much more. This book breaks down topics so they are easy to understand for teenagers and young adults. The writing is interesting and engaging, unlike most history books and it is so well done!
I loved this book and think it would be such a valuable asset to have in every classroom. This gives young people all of the information they need to be able to learn about what is happening, form an opinion and take a stand to change it. I also appreciated how this book had illustrations, mas, timelines and other images to help with understanding and engagement. We need more books like this!
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the advanced copy.
If you aren’t familiar with The Cramm, it was created by then 13 year old Olivia Seltzer as a news outlet for Gen Z to share what is happening in the world and inspire them to make a difference. This book tackles important topics from history and today - topics such as racism, the
Me Too Movement, conflict in the Middle East and so much more. This book breaks down topics so they are easy to understand for teenagers and young adults. The writing is interesting and engaging, unlike most history books and it is so well done!
I loved this book and think it would be such a valuable asset to have in every classroom. This gives young people all of the information they need to be able to learn about what is happening, form an opinion and take a stand to change it. I also appreciated how this book had illustrations, mas, timelines and other images to help with understanding and engagement. We need more books like this!
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the advanced copy.
March 14, 2023
This teenage author wants other young adults to know what is going on in the world. This book is a reference style guide that attempts to inform and educate novice news consumers on who, what, when, where, and why, using a crash course model.
I liked that the author pointed out that traditional news consumption is aimed at the boomer generation with cable subscriptions; and that modern news today hasn't exactly evolved yet to target teens in a meaningful way. This is an accessible 'cram session' for young people in a hurry.
I liked that the author pointed out that traditional news consumption is aimed at the boomer generation with cable subscriptions; and that modern news today hasn't exactly evolved yet to target teens in a meaningful way. This is an accessible 'cram session' for young people in a hurry.
October 17, 2025
A great crash course in major global events post-WW2. I wish I had this in high school! I hope she comes out with new editions.
November 8, 2021
Ever wonder why things are the way they are in the world?
Cramm This Book breaks down issues and events for today's teens to show how history has impacted them. The book takes big issues, such as 9/11, Black Lives Matter, and climate change, into smaller, more digestible parts, including specific examples and definitions.
Coupled with illustrations, map and images, Cramm This Book is written so today's teens will be interested in current events and can understand why things are the way they are. The writing is not like a history book. It's interesting and engaging, explaining everything in a way teens can understand. I loved the text messages between countries when explaining different wars.
As a history teacher, I try to make the history relatable to my students and this book does an excellent job of doing that. This is a book I can see using in my classroom to further engage my students. It speaks their language and talks to them, not at them. I also loved how the book ends on a call to action for today's teens, urging them that they have the choice whether to care or not, whether to take action or not. But the future is in their hands.
While the book does an excellent job of explaining and connecting events from WWII on, I wish it would have made further connections between more current issues and early history, including colonialism, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War. So many roots of today's social movements and issues stem from the formation of the United States. However, you have to draw the line somewhere, and those connections could be another book itself.
Thanks to Penguin Teen for the advanced copy. Cramm This Book publishes February 15, 2022.
Cramm This Book breaks down issues and events for today's teens to show how history has impacted them. The book takes big issues, such as 9/11, Black Lives Matter, and climate change, into smaller, more digestible parts, including specific examples and definitions.
Coupled with illustrations, map and images, Cramm This Book is written so today's teens will be interested in current events and can understand why things are the way they are. The writing is not like a history book. It's interesting and engaging, explaining everything in a way teens can understand. I loved the text messages between countries when explaining different wars.
As a history teacher, I try to make the history relatable to my students and this book does an excellent job of doing that. This is a book I can see using in my classroom to further engage my students. It speaks their language and talks to them, not at them. I also loved how the book ends on a call to action for today's teens, urging them that they have the choice whether to care or not, whether to take action or not. But the future is in their hands.
While the book does an excellent job of explaining and connecting events from WWII on, I wish it would have made further connections between more current issues and early history, including colonialism, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War. So many roots of today's social movements and issues stem from the formation of the United States. However, you have to draw the line somewhere, and those connections could be another book itself.
Thanks to Penguin Teen for the advanced copy. Cramm This Book publishes February 15, 2022.
October 27, 2022
This remarkable book is the first time I've heard of the teen author, unaware of her massively successful media resource THE CRAMM. Her quality and success are undeniable, as witnessed by the numerous awards she has received for her particular approach to reporting current events and anchoring them in essential information about last events.
Her early observation that conventional news reporting is aimed at "mature" audiences (as in older-to-senior citizens) in every respect, but especially in language and focus. She launched her platform and ongoing programs with the full intent to use her youth to inform other young folks with perspectives, language patterns, references, and style that would engage and connect. I am convinced that every one of us "older" audience members would ce from reading this carefully, too, even though we have lived through many of the twentieth century events she explains and places in context with current times.
This really is a remarkably readable, infomative, balanced (neither left or right) and necessary resource for all of us.
Her early observation that conventional news reporting is aimed at "mature" audiences (as in older-to-senior citizens) in every respect, but especially in language and focus. She launched her platform and ongoing programs with the full intent to use her youth to inform other young folks with perspectives, language patterns, references, and style that would engage and connect. I am convinced that every one of us "older" audience members would ce from reading this carefully, too, even though we have lived through many of the twentieth century events she explains and places in context with current times.
This really is a remarkably readable, infomative, balanced (neither left or right) and necessary resource for all of us.
February 4, 2022
I'm in that awkward generational line between GenZ and Millenial. That being said, I think this book was too young for me personally but I can see the appeal that this book would have for a GenZ student somewhere in the age range of a high school student. The information was very informative and presented in a way that a student wouldn't feel like they were reading a history textbook. There were certainly topics covered in this book that likely wouldn't make it into any school curriculum. I think this book definitely succeeded in its purpose of providing historical context to todays pressing social and current event issues for an audience who are too young to have lived through contextual historic events that a lot of news organizations assume is shared prior knowlege. I'd definitely recommend putting this book in most high school libraries.
February 15, 2022
Let's just take a minute to applaud any teenager that is aware enough to start both a news website and then write a book. Cramm this book! is a non-fiction book designed for teenagers to understand wTF is going on in the world today. This book directly challenges readers to change the world as we know it. Filled with information that breaks down all the isms and phobias, provides maps and pictures, and delivers easy to understand history lessons and the impact they've had on today's society. This is truly a wonderful resource for people of all ages.
June 11, 2022
Congratulations to Ms. Seltzer for a well-researched, well-written, and informative text. Her tone and style are welcoming and inspiring. I agree with the reviewer that the presentation does swing somewhat to the left--not in the information itself, but in the reflections and opinions about the information. Although what is taken for left-leaning statements might also be her idealism and passion, not necessarily her politics.
I was surprised that certain contextual statements were left out: that Iraq did actually have and use chemical weapons prior to 1991 (when the Iraqis destroyed them), that BLM protesters in Ferguson and elsewhere encountered violence (since the violence was mentioned regarding suffragism, civil rights, and LBGTQ+ rights), that the #MeToo movement also experienced pushback. Perhaps she assumes her audience knows those facts already?
Her definitions, her facts, and her trying to show the links between historical and current events is admirable. It is hypocritical, however, to condemn the USA for only becoming involved in international events when it feels threatened & then to suggest that the USA should become more involved in solving problems in other countries. To make those comments so boldly without any suggestion of the financial and personnel costs involved in solving problems, in protecting the USA, in humanitarian missions makes her appear naive.
And, given the context in which I am reading this book (one week after the Uvalde school shooting), to refer to the Second Amendment as a "little thing" is disrespectful, patronizing, and offensive. The Second Amendment, as all the amendments, is no "little thing" and should not be dismissed.
Overall, the book is a worthwhile read for Generation Z (or anyone) in order to grasp the causes and contexts of the problems we need to solve today.
I was surprised that certain contextual statements were left out: that Iraq did actually have and use chemical weapons prior to 1991 (when the Iraqis destroyed them), that BLM protesters in Ferguson and elsewhere encountered violence (since the violence was mentioned regarding suffragism, civil rights, and LBGTQ+ rights), that the #MeToo movement also experienced pushback. Perhaps she assumes her audience knows those facts already?
Her definitions, her facts, and her trying to show the links between historical and current events is admirable. It is hypocritical, however, to condemn the USA for only becoming involved in international events when it feels threatened & then to suggest that the USA should become more involved in solving problems in other countries. To make those comments so boldly without any suggestion of the financial and personnel costs involved in solving problems, in protecting the USA, in humanitarian missions makes her appear naive.
And, given the context in which I am reading this book (one week after the Uvalde school shooting), to refer to the Second Amendment as a "little thing" is disrespectful, patronizing, and offensive. The Second Amendment, as all the amendments, is no "little thing" and should not be dismissed.
Overall, the book is a worthwhile read for Generation Z (or anyone) in order to grasp the causes and contexts of the problems we need to solve today.
June 21, 2023
This book was so awesome. I have been wanting to learn more about the current state of the world and this was the perfect way to do it. Sometimes the language is cheesy but it honestly makes the book more fun. I loved learning and I feel quite inspired to take action.
I wish the book had mentioned ways that we currently can take action as it is a lot of things that need change and feels a bit overwhelming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Genocide, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Racism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Ableism, Antisemitism, Colonisation, Deportation, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Biphobia, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, Murder, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and War
I wish the book had mentioned ways that we currently can take action as it is a lot of things that need change and feels a bit overwhelming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Genocide, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Racism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Ableism, Antisemitism, Colonisation, Deportation, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Biphobia, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, Murder, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and War
December 12, 2024
4 stars
the tricky thing with books like this is that they will always be inaccurate. this book was only published two years ago and the information in it is already outdated. there's just SO MUCH stuff happening ALL THE TIME.
that being said, i think this book is a really effective educational tool (for americans mainly. and also as long as everything within it is digested with the understanding that the info was accurate as of 2022). i learnt a LOT about american history, something that really isn't covered in countries that are not america. i think this book would be a great gift for a 12-15 year old who is actively interested in the world and global affairs. the tone is very kid-friendly, even though it occasionally seems patronising as an older reader.
the tricky thing with books like this is that they will always be inaccurate. this book was only published two years ago and the information in it is already outdated. there's just SO MUCH stuff happening ALL THE TIME.
that being said, i think this book is a really effective educational tool (for americans mainly. and also as long as everything within it is digested with the understanding that the info was accurate as of 2022). i learnt a LOT about american history, something that really isn't covered in countries that are not america. i think this book would be a great gift for a 12-15 year old who is actively interested in the world and global affairs. the tone is very kid-friendly, even though it occasionally seems patronising as an older reader.
June 6, 2022
This is a really informative read if you want to have mostly surface level knowledge on major current events and world history (mostly involving the U.S.) from the past century. I found that I knew most of this information from what I’ve learned in school, although I know that not everyone learns the same thing in their schooling and depending on how often you pay attention to the news, this information can be really beneficial. I was surprised mainly by the section on the Women’s Suffrage Movement. I actually didn’t know much of the information that Seltzer discussed and I was happy to learn more.
December 19, 2022
Cramm This Book is great if you like history/politics. I like it because it was easy to read and I liked how the author wrote the book so generation z could understand. I didn't like how the book was so liberal I wished the author was more in the middle so someone could form their own opinion on the topic. My favorite section was the war the section becasue I like learning about unpopular wars like Keoran wars. Also I like learning about how the second world war contrinuted to alot of the following wars.Overall this is a great book for anyone who understand the news or politics.
January 31, 2023
Now, I went into this knowing that the author was a teenager and the audience was for young adults. With that in mind, 5 stars. Seltzer devotes time to explaining the timeline around the Israel-Palestine conflict and varying perspectives, and makes sure to include a movements section that includes MeToo, BLM, March for Our Lives, and Climate Change. Adult readers may not react as positively to the "texts" between countries/nations, and the oversimplification of disasters and isms, but this is a great place for youth to start!
July 25, 2025
This is the first nonfiction book I've read in a LONG time! And, surprisingly for me, it wasn't that hard to read. Usually, nonfiction books bore me and I never have the interest to finish them. But not this one! This book was made specifically for Gen Z, Gen Alpha, whatever I am, and it's made to make reading about breaking news interesting. I knew about some of the topics in this book, like the Vietnam and Korean war, but this book gave me a new view on those and many other topics. Overall, this goes on my list of actually interesting nonfiction books!
January 27, 2022
Very informative and well-researched book! I appreciated the Gen Z focused view of these historical events and movements ie text messages…very clever. This is definitely a good book if you need a quick refresher on various forms of -isms like racism, ableism; important historical events like WWII, the Cuba Crisis; and more recent events like the #MeToo Movement, and BLM Movement. I recommend this book to any high school students/college students who want to a look at history with a Gen Z frame-of-mind. Also other generations (like me, a millennial) could benefit from this book, as a quick refresher on history and its various movements. Thank you Penguin Teen for sending me this ebook Arc through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
February 7, 2023
This is a great concept -- it's based off a blog that the author started as a young teen when she wanted to help her peers know WTF is going on. So it's short takes on a wide variety of topics that affect the world -- recent conflicts, movements, labor activism, disasters, giving a quick and dirty analysis of how things interact and where the history comes from and might be going.
It's not very sophisticated, but it speaks to teenagers right at their level.
It's not very sophisticated, but it speaks to teenagers right at their level.
Read
June 13, 2022Crafted by teen news site creator Olivia Seltzer, this nonfiction guide is designed for Gen Zs to understand all the isms, phobias, movements, and wars, and disasters that make our world a confusing mess. Jam-packed with clear visuals and historical quips, this one-stop-shop calls a generation to change the world.
Reviewer #21
Reviewer #21
October 6, 2022
I continue to be impressed with young people. I really think they drive social change in our society. This book was written by a high school student! It’s a great way to get a quick over view of important events in world history that are shaping current events and policy. A great way for people to be informed in an easy to understand, bite sized package.
July 7, 2022
I really liked the fact that this book gives a very “basic” look over big world events. You truly don’t need any prior knowledge to understand any of the events mentioned, and it sets you up nicely to do more research on your own without getting totally lost in a ton of information.
November 28, 2022
Wow this is some A+ lvl bs.
It just shows; that the US is occupied with cataloging every "thought crime" on the planet.
This was like some kind of schizophrenic rant.
the title should be renamed to "Cramm this book and shove it up the writers a$$"
I've already burned it in the oven.
It just shows; that the US is occupied with cataloging every "thought crime" on the planet.
This was like some kind of schizophrenic rant.
the title should be renamed to "Cramm this book and shove it up the writers a$$"
I've already burned it in the oven.
July 21, 2024
A little review of the events that have happened in the last century ish. I liked that she chose worldwide moments, in general, but there were too manye "american-perspectives". I guess it's because the author is american as well.
December 19, 2024
As an older adult I read this out of curiosity wanting to hear what some of the conscious young ones think... I was saddened at what an overwhelming burden humans have imposed on the youth. I commend this young ladies courage.
July 4, 2025
i hope the wtf doesn't deter anyone because this book is SO good and every kid needs to read it. i love how seltzer writes--besdies a little too much text talk, she is a talented writer who can convey history and current events simply and without much bias. would love to see more by her.
Want to read
August 12, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
February 23, 2022
Really enjoyed this YA nonfiction book. Was able to skim some parts as I am old enough to remember, but it was a nice introduction to other issues.
May 7, 2022
Pretty good overview but also clearly leaning to one side of the political spectrum.
June 2, 2022
Such a cool book. Can't wait to share this with my students in the fall.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews