Teen Guide to Volunteering: ISBN 978-1-68282-937-0/ eBook: 978-1-68282-938-7
School Library Connection, Jan/Feb, 2021
Teens have much to offer our society, and we often undervalue their skills. Teens need to learn that they can make a big difference if they try. Along with the printed narrative, author Stuart Kallen presents his material about volunteering using full-color pictures and small sidebar interviews featuring the students who have been involved in the projects included in the text. This book offers a wide diversity of volunteering options. Everything from helping in soup kitchens to setting up online groups in order to help others is discussed. The end of the book provides source notes for each chapter as well as sources to search for further information, including books and various online resources. The publisher suggested this book for grades 7-9, but I think the content could also appeal to high school students as well. These students are also interested in volunteering, and the experience may lead to a career choice for them. I recommend this book for both middle school and high school libraries.
Patricia Susan Brown, Educational Reviewer, Auburndale, Florida
Recommended
Teen Guide to Volunteering: ISBN 978-1-68282-937-0/ eBook: 978-1-68282-938-7
School Library Journal, Dec. 11, 2020
Gr 8 Up–This title describes the many ways to volunteer. The five chapters feature photos that depict young people of color. The text details short-term and long-term goals, including how to volunteer at local organizations for an afternoon and how to create an indefinite project. The clear, easy-to-read text offers facts, tips, and quotes from activists. The guide shares how teens can help during the COVID-19 pandemic, imparting useful advice that could be applied to future pandemics. To combat the stress of volunteering, the text provides support to teens and highlights the great sense of purpose one can feel when helping others and giving back to the community. The back matter features source notes and further research. VERDICT A helpful resource for teen nonfiction collections, both in regards to the quality of information and the timely subject matter.
—Anna Taylor, Chattanooga, TN
Teen Guide to Volunteering: ISBN 978-1-68282-937-0 / eBook: 978-1-68282-938-7
Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2020
Packed with volunteer ideas, from small acts of kindness to large-scale efforts.
Divided into five chapters, this well-organized book outlines and explains a broad range of experiences and levels of volunteering. There are ideas to inspire readers across the spectrum of volunteering possibilities, from one-time and long-term options with long-established, nationwide nonprofits and youth-run organizations as well as ideas for ways to create their own grassroots opportunities. In addition to highlighting specific organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity and YouthLine, individual teens are spotlighted for their volunteer contributions. Short quotes from
change-makers, including Anne Frank, the Dalai Lama, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., provide another layer of motivation. The font and layout are attractive and easy to navigate, and the stock color photographs feature a diverse range of people. The tone is primarily inspirational, and the book also highlights the social and emotional benefits volunteers receive from giving to others. Volunteering during the Covid-19 pandemic is specifically covered, although these sections are written in a way that makes it seem like the virus is a thing of the past. This work will be helpful to those already interested in being volunteers as well as students with service hour requirements.
A helpful resource for youth. (source notes, further research, index, picture credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18)