Declare Yourself: Speak. Connect. Act. Vote. More Than 50 Celebrated Americans Tell You Why - Hardcover

Declare Yourself

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0061473324 ISBN 13: 9780061473326

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, 2008

Synopsis

Speak. Connect. Act. Vote.

50 celebrated Americans tell you why

Celebrated Americans—from Adrian Grenier to Amber Tamblyn to Hayden Panettiere to Alice Walker— share their compelling perspectives on voting and civic involvement in this one-of-a-kind book. Guest edited by actress America Ferrera, this collection of more than fifty essays and unique pieces explores topics ranging from "The First Time I Voted" to "Why the Personal is Political," all straight from the pens of public figures you know and admire. Read it—and then join them! Declare yourself.

About this title

About the Author

Fifty-five well-known actors, writers, athletes, musicians, political figures, entrepreneurs, and more came together to create this book, with the common goal of convincing every American between the ages of 18 and 29 to register, vote, and get involved in the political process. From all political viewpoints and all walks of life, their revealing contributions are introduced by guest editor America Ferrera, an award-winning screen and stage actor, and Norman Lear, a veteran producer and activist, who founded the Declare Yourself organization.

Reviews

Grade 9 Up—From America Ferrera (of Ugly Betty fame) to the artists of Maroon Five, 50 Americans encourage young adults to make their voices heard. This collection, comprised of vignettes, essays, interviews, and poems, ranges from the humorous (an essay by the editors of The Onion), to the sacred (an interview with Ryan J. Bingham, 25-year-old mayor of Torrington, CT, whose dedication to politics is almost religious), to the slightly profane (an expletive-filled diatribe from Adrian Grenier, star of TV's Entourage). Though the contributors all take decidedly different tacks, their common goal is obvious: to persuade young people to research the candidates and cast their votes on Election Day. The supplemental materials at the end of the book are plentiful and pertinent, including instructions on how to register to vote, ways to get involved in one's community, a comprehensive glossary of election-related terms, and a general overview of the United States Government. Though this book is obviously more relevant for the 2008 election season, it would be a solid additional purchase for both high school and public libraries.—Kelly McGorray, Glenbard South High School Library, Glen Ellyn, IL
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Edition details

• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0061473324
• ISBN 13: 9780061473326
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352