You Can Be an Activist: How to Use Your Strengths and Passions to Make a Difference

Everything you need to know about making the world better from a real-life youth activist.

Here’s the definitive handbook for young activists who want to make a difference but don’t know where to begin. It covers everything from choosing a cause and doing the research, to deciding on a goal, and then making a plan to get it done. Along the way, readers will encounter loads of practical tips on handling specific tasks, like creating a petition, and larger responsibilities, like leading a team. There are also important discussion about essential topics such as intersectionality, privilege and allyship. Written in the encouraging, friendly tone of a peer, this book is sure to inform and inspire budding activists – and open their eyes to what’s possible!

Written by youth activist Charlene Rocha and award-winning author Mary Beth Leatherdale, this guide demystifies activism for budding social justice campaigners and climate advocates, and encourages readers to bring their own passions and interests to their work. Drew Shannon’s illustrations bring a sense of fun to the topic, and the comprehensive text is presented in chunks and sidebars, with engaging quizzes, prompts, lists, templates, profiles and interviews throughout. The book supports young readers in learning more about issues such as queer rights, feminism and Black Lives Matter. The back matter includes an extensive list of resources, a checklist of next steps, a glossary and an index. Part of the CitizenKid collection, this book aligns with the themes of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Charlene Rocha is an activist and software engineering student at the University of Waterloo. She combines her passions for computer science and activism by creating coding projects for a more sustainable future. Active in campaigns for a number of causes, Charlene has spoken at a TEDx event and was featured in the docuseries CitizenKid: Earth Comes First.
Mary Beth Leatherdale is an award-winning author and editor of books for children and youth. Her books have received many starred reviews and have won or been shortlisted for awards including the Norma Fleck Award, the YALSA Excellence in Non-Fiction for Young Adults Award, the SCBWI Golden Kite Award and the Silver Birch Award, among others. Mary Beth lives in Toronto with her husband and her dog, Champ.
Drew Shannon is a graduate of Sheridan College's illustration program. His clients include the Globe and Mail, the Washington Post, Reader's Digest, NPR, UNICEF and more. He is also the illustrator of several books for young readers. Born in London, Ontario, he now lives in Toronto. See more of his work at drewshannon.ca.