Introduction
Joan of Arc - French heroine
Mario Savio - Student activist
Severn Cullis-Suzuki - Environmental activist
Rhiannon Tomtishen and Madison Vorva - Environmental activists
Jack Andraka - Inventor and researcher
Easton LaChappelle - Inventor
Kelvin Doe - Inventor
Madison Kimrey - Political activist
Joseph Kim - Human rights activist
Melissa Shang - Advocate for disability rights and
representation
Jazz Jennings - Transgender rights advocate
Malala Yousafzai - Nobel Prize winner and education advocate
Patrick Kane - Disability rights advocate
Emer Hickey and Ciara Judge - Scientists
Raymond Wang - Inventor
Megan Grassell - Entrepreneur and clothing designer
Kenneth Shinozuka - Designer and inventor
Tara Subramaniam - Education reform advocate
Joshua Browder - Entrepreneur
Krtin Nithiyanandam - Scientist and inventor
Ishita Katyal - Youth advocate
Hadiqa Bashir - Activist against child marriage
Schuyler Bailar - Transgender rights advocate
Troye Sivan - Singer-songwriter, actor, and LGBTQ+ rights
activist
Gavin Grimm - Transgender youth rights advocate
Tiera Fletcher (née Guinn) - Advocate for female representation in
science
Melati and Isabel Wijsen - Environmental activists
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez - Environmental activist and musician
Elijah Walters-Othman - Advocate for equal access to education and
job training
Muzoon Rakan Almellehan - Children’s education advocate and UNICEF
Goodwill Ambassador
Josh Lafazan - Legislator and political activist
Zach Latta - Technologist
Memory Banda - Activist against child marriage
Kadallah Burrowes - Artist and accessible design advocate
Lauren Singer - Environmentalist and influencer
Sparsh Shah - Disability rights advocate
Amanda Southworth - Mental health advocate
Amika George - Activist fighting period poverty
Millie Bobby Brown - Actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
Bana Alabed - Education and human rights advocate
Greta Thunberg - Environmental activist
Canwen Xu - Advocate for Asian-American heritage
Maya S. Penn - Philanthropist, environmental activist,
entrepreneur, animator and CEO
Hilde Lysiak - Journalist
Anuna De Wever - Climate change activist
More Young People to Inspire
Read All About It!
Credits
Acknowledgements
Adora Svitak is a writer and public speaker who advocates for youth
empowerment around the world. In 2010, she delivered the speech
'What Adults Can Learn from Kids' at TED. It has received over 5
million views on TED.com alone, and been translated into more than
40
different languages. In recent years, she has spoken in front of
audiences at Google, Mashable and the United Nations. Adora
contributes to Huffington Post, Mashable, Women's Media Center,
Bust, The Bold Italic, and the TED blog, and was named one of the
'30 Top Thinkers Under 30' by Pacific Standard Magazine.
"Greta Thunberg’s condemnation of climate crisis apathy and Malala
Yousafzai’s heartfelt call to keep girls in education are just two
of the 45 stirring speeches to feature in this absorbing book. The
first-ever collection of speeches made by children and teenagers
around the world, it shows that today’s young people are a force to
be reckoned with."
*The Independent*
“A compilation of inspiring speeches from youth around the world
whose voices have helped move the needle of progress. Svitak (Yang
in Disguise, 2011, etc.) collects and presents speeches by young
people who have had a positive impact on society and politics. From
human rights to politics, science, technology, environmentalism,
and other areas, this book highlights diverse examples of people
whose adolescence proved to be an advantage rather than a drawback.
Each speech excerpt is preceded by a summary explaining the
problems that spurred them to action and innovation and the changes
that came about as a result of their impressive and necessary work.
Present in each story and speech is the reminder that it is their
youthful optimism, hope, and stamina that led to breakthroughs.
Svitak's introductions give important context and showcase the
magnitude and significance of the pioneering efforts of the youth
featured here. The bright, realistic, and vibrant illustrations by
Pinheiro (So Here I Am, 2019) capture the upbeat tone of the book
and will strongly appeal to readers. Along with well-known names
such as Malala Yousafzai, Jazz Jennings, and Greta Thunberg,
readers will meet Memory Banda, a Malawian activist working to end
child marriage; Indigenous environmental protection advocate
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, and many more. Motivating narratives showing
the power and necessity of young people as catalysts for
change.”
*Kirkus Reviews*
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