The stories of 12 young climate activists and three activist groups are here paired with poems from exceptional adult poets of similar identities who were inspired by their work.
We read of young people who have planted trees in Uganda, protected water in Canada, reduced school-bus climate footprint in Indonesia, invented alternate power sources in Ohio, and more. As in the standalone companion book to No Voice Too Small, which looks at other forms of activism, each person profiled gets a two-page spread with warm and approachable images drawn in Jeanette Bradley’s digital pastels and charcoals on an earth-toned, textured background. On the left page of each spread is a poem about the person’s impact; on the right is a prose paragraph with further details. Most are people of color.
The poems are by an array of well-known and award-winning writers, including Vanessa Brantley-Newton, David Bowles, Rajani LaRocca, Renée LaTulippe, Heidi E. Y. Stemple, and others. Each poet shares at least one aspect of their identity with their young subject. Additionally, each poem uses a different poetic form, helpfully explained at the end of the book. Additional text goes into detail about each activist’s life and how readers can get involved.
Among the activists is Zanagee Artis, who not only started a sustainability club at his school, but also “staged the first youth-led climate march in Washington, DC, with sister marches around the world.” Artis was inspired, we read, “by seeing his mothers succeed in their long fight for marriage equality.” The poem about him was written by Bradley, who is also a queer mom.
An inspiring look at a diverse group of young activists and a lovely collection of diverse poetic forms make for a highly recommended volume.
