Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A personal guide to social justice.Married couple Porsche and Frederick Joseph team up to introduce a teen audience to some of the most important topics facing this country and the world. Dividing the chapters between themselves, each author includes a long personal narrative in which they share stories from their lives or the lives of their friends interspersed with historical and political context. Each chapter ends with interviews with famous people involved in the different issues, for example, Julin Castro on housing security, Chelsea Clinton on disinformation, and Mari Copeny on water access. The issues are all crucial, but despite the emphasis on change, the text feels more overwhelming than inspiring. Each chapter encourages readers to go to an online tool kit (unavailable at the time of review); the actions named in the book are largely on an individual scale and focus heavily on language and social media posts. The chapters that hew closely to the authors own experiences are stronger than those that dont; for example, the chapters on student debt and the military-industrial complex are fascinating and thorough, while the one on homophobia focuses exclusively on cis gay men, and the one about gender identity features two trans women and one cis man. The broad range of topics covered makes what is missing or given only glancing mention (e.g., antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian racism, and reproductive rights) more glaring.A mostly useful resource. (interview with the authors, glossary, source notes, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Publishers Weekly
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Debut author Porsche Joseph and Frederick Joseph (The Black Friend), a married couple, endeavor to “let young people see themselves as vital changemakers” so they “will make vital change” in this affecting work. Using an approachable first-person narration, the Josephs tackle a wide range of topics, including the climate crisis and environmental racism, wealth gaps, and gun violence. Conversations with experts in their respective fields, such as Keah Brown on the dangers of ableism and Chelsea Clinton discussing disinformation, feature throughout, combining to provide a “deeper and more intersectional lens through which to view these vital topics.” In “We Have Money for War but Won’t Feed the Poor,” for example, humanitarian Amed Khan outlines his experiences working with refugees while navigating the U.S.’s military-industrial complex. These interviews elevate what would otherwise read as a familiar contribution to the expanding canon of social activism narratives. Though the creators note that many of the topics discussed can cause discomfort, they argue that it is only through this discomfort that real change can occur. While maintaining a warmth and sense of hope that keeps readers engaged, this worthy read offers necessary deep dives into relevant topics. A glossary and source notes conclude. Ages 12–up. (Oct.)

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

This thought-provoking book comes from Frederick Joseph, the author of the best-selling The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person (2020). Frederick and his wife, Porsche, take turns narrating chapters dealing with social issues: gun violence, ableism, immigration, Indigenous land theft, homophobia, and so on, acknowledging the impact of these influences and considering thoughtful alternative behaviors. Sixteen chapters define specific problems in a global context, providing ample background information and explaining far-reaching consequences. Chapters also feature interviews with various individuals that add real-world perspective (in the chapter on disinformation, Chelsea Clinton shares how fabricated media stories impacted her childhood). While this material is both accessible and enlightening, the most compelling parts of the book are when the co-authors share personal experiences. They tell stories about events they've witnessed, recalling their emotions and reactions, and explaining the lasting effects. There's no preaching or interpretation; instead, readers are encouraged to learn more about issues. Chapters end with sources for further information, and back matter includes a glossary ("The Dictionary of Change") and extensive chapter notes. Whether considered individually or taken as a whole, these crucial topics will shape the future, and the Josephs want readers to be ready to join the conversation.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A personal guide to social justice. Married couple Porsche and Frederick Joseph team up to introduce a teen audience to some of the most important topics facing this country and the world. Dividing the chapters between themselves, each author includes a long personal narrative in which they share stories from their lives or the lives of their friends interspersed with historical and political context. Each chapter ends with interviews with famous people involved in the different issues, for example, Julián Castro on housing security, Chelsea Clinton on disinformation, and Mari Copeny on water access. The issues are all crucial, but despite the emphasis on change, the text feels more overwhelming than inspiring. Each chapter encourages readers to go to an online tool kit (unavailable at the time of review); the actions named in the book are largely on an individual scale and focus heavily on language and social media posts. The chapters that hew closely to the authors’ own experiences are stronger than those that don’t; for example, the chapters on student debt and the military-industrial complex are fascinating and thorough, while the one on homophobia focuses exclusively on cis gay men, and the one about gender identity features two trans women and one cis man. The broad range of topics covered makes what is missing or given only glancing mention (e.g., antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian racism, and reproductive rights) more glaring. A mostly useful resource. (interview with the authors, glossary, source notes, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.