Books

‘How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation’ Book Review

How I Resist: Activism and Hope is a guidebook about where to begin. Edited by Maureen Johnson, the author of Truly Devious, it offers life lessons and advice from renowned writers and activists in hopes of invigorating a new generation of fighters who aren’t afraid to let their voices be heard or have a spark lit in their heart.

Just to clarify, How I Resist: Activism and Hope isn’t a simple guide book with instructions that range from 1 to 10 on how you can change things and become like your heroes. This book is a collection of essays, songs, illustrations, and interviews meant to inspire you into action, whether that means being honest with yourself for the first time in your life or finally starting that community project you’ve always wanted to see in your neighborhood.

These essays, written by Lauren Duca, Malinda Lo, Maya Rupert, Justin Mikita, Rosie O’Donnell, and so many more, are the guiding light that newbie activists/leaders/young warriors need. This book is also a way for weathered and experienced activists to feel connected or gain new insight about this new generation of activism that has revolutionized how we’re connected and how we speak up.

For the activist with a taste for music you have Shaina Taub, a song writer and performer, creating music sheets and original lyrics to inspire you to ask, “Oh when, oh when will it all ever end?” when it comes to gun violence, the families that are left behind, and the way that we just brush through these horrifying events from one news cycle to another.

For the activist just starting out and trying to figure out what the hell to do in the world with so many causes and so many things you can back up, you have Carolyn DeWitt, the Rock the Vote’s president and executive director. She writes about five things teens can do to engage in politics before turning 18, including getting involved in a club or organization at your school and pre-registering to vote, if your state allows it.

For the activist who is more of a visual learner and enjoys a good cartoon, you have Jeffrey Rowland, a cartoonist and entrepreneur, with a comic strip about a young man getting sage advice from a time and space traveling Abraham Lincoln. True story. Abe even tells him that, “Sometimes all you can do is try to be a decent person. That’s what I did…mostly” while wearing his signature hat.

How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation even has an essay by John Paul Brammer, a queer Mexican-American writer and speaker, about his experiences with being honest with himself and what it takes to stand out. It’s a beautiful essay about letting go of what you want others to think of you and just being yourself as you’re pursuing your passions, be that activism or something else.

Whatever you’re looking for to start your journey when it comes to activism, invoking change, or just inspiring yourself, this book has it all. So what are you waiting for? Go out there and buy a copy of How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation! Listen to the words, interviews, and stories inside of these pages and heed their call. Every single step you take into making this world a better place absolutely matters.

Maybe this will be your first one.

About the Editor:

Maureen Johnson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of several YA novels, including 13 Little Blue Envelopes, Suite Scarlett, The Name of the Star, and Truly Devious. She has also done collaborative works, such as Let It Snow (with John Green and Lauren Myracle), and The Bane Chronicles (with Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan).

Her work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Buzzfeed, and The Guardian, and she has also served as a scriptwriter for EA Games. She has an MFA in Writing from Columbia University and lives in New York City.

How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation is available for purchase HERE.

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How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation is available today.