Table of Contents

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
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Credits
Acknowledgements

About the Author

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.

Reviews

"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*