Due to a passing in the family a few years ago and my subsequent health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for years after the bereavement. Thank you for the opportunity.

This is a book, mainly for teenagers, and twentyish people who want to speak out about things that really annoy them. The author started a petition to get rid of the tax on sanitary products, which eventually succeeded. she gives you a checklist of things to do, like have confidence in yourself, be positive, be determined, and check your information before starting a petition or a campaign to change something.
There is an annoying habit in this book where on some pages the text is printed in a mixture of lower and upper case letters, which is very distracting. Whilst there are positive thing to take away from this book, I am probably the wrong demographic for it.

What a wonderful ,enjoyable read- Certainly a must read for all young people to see that change is possible.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Egmont Publishing for my eARC in exchange for my honest unbiased review

Praised as a 'toolkit for change', Speak Up! is an inspirational book about the power of your voice and the changes this can bring, whether this be on a social, public or personal level. Laura doesn't mess around with the advice she offers in her motivating manual - she's been there, she's encountered the challenges, the failures, the setbacks that come with wanting to make a significant change, but that just makes her voice that more fierce and positive as she guides the reader of their journey to find their authentic voice and use it effectively.

Broken down into a 5 step practical plan - Goals, Decision Makers, Research, Platform, Launch - Laura uses her own campaign as well as other successful campaigns (such as the viral #metoo campaign) to offer a raw and realistic guide to planning and executing one's own movement/campaign, or getting involved with politics. But Laura doesn't stop there. She also tackles tricky subjects like feminism, consent, body-positivity, social media, education, online bullying and internet trolls, self-confidence and self-love in a meaningful but accessible and entertaining way. Although ingrained with Laura's personal stories and experiences, Laura's voice never comes across as dictatorial or forced, but rather, warm and conversational.

Speak Up! is filled with positive messages and encouraging statements about friendship, female empowerment and standing up for who you are inspiring not just future campaigners but this whole new generation of rebel girls.

Accompanied with quirky illustrations and bold typography this is definitely a perfect gift for girls aged 12+, or anybody who wants to use their voice to change the world. Launched just in time for International Women's Day this is without a doubt the must-have girl power book of 2019!

www.bluebirdreviews.co.uk

I enjoyed this book, although I am not the target audience, it's clearly intended for people much younger than I am. It contains lots of useful tips about starting your own campaign, is funny and will be accessible for the target audience (around 9-13) with the informative, yet informal writing style and the constant positive affirmations for young girls. It's quite a quick read, and definitely a book that I wish I'd had as a young feminist wanting to make change in the world, so hopefully it finds it's way into the hands of many other blossoming feminists!

An inspirational book about “being the change”.

Laura Coryton is a force. A British campaigner and feminist activist, she is the founder of Stop Taxing Periods, a campaign to abolish the Tampon Tax in the United Kingdom and make menstrual products exempt from VAT (Value Added Tax). This campaign spread globally and resulted in similar tax laws being overturned across several continents.

That is no small feat and in this warm and honest book, which is a motivating manual for bringing about change in whatever sphere of life moves one – albeit social or political or personal - Coryton clearly describes the “toolkit” to launch one’s own tirade against any perceived injustice. In a personable and sisterly way, she guides the reader on how to find their authentic voice and use it effectively.

With a tone which is dripping with positivity and fierce inspiration, she lays out a 5 step plan, a practical “how to” for a new generation of empowered, rebel girls wanting to start a quiet (or loud!) revolution.

She uses her own campaign as well as the other successful campaigns (such as the viral “#metoo” campaign encouraging women to speak up about their own sexual abuse and violations) as the blueprint for planning and executing one’s own personal crusades. She cites powerful women and feminists such as actress Emma Watson and activist Helen Pankhurst to underscore her call to action.

Coryton writes frankly about the failures, pitfalls and setbacks that come with wanting to make a significant change. She also addresses very relevant issues such as the imbalance of gender power, deconstructing romantic stereotypes, the issues of consent, dating and sexting, social media, body positivity and the importance of education. Her perspective on these aspects of life as a woman is forthright and steeped in her own personal experiences but they do not come across as too prescriptive but rather offering valuable food for thought.

The book is littered with positive affirmations and encouraging statements for blossoming feminists and activists that are designed to bolster confidence and self-esteem. Though I am not what one would consider the target market for the book, I still found it informative, accessible and uplifting.

It is definitely aimed at a younger (adolescent/ young adult) female audience with its quirky, colourful layout and typesetting. A must-read for young women whether they want to launch campaigns or not, it should be made available in high schools as prescribed reading and should be used by anyone (counsellors, therapists, mentors) who work with young women. Get your daughters, sisters, nieces, granddaughters, in fact, any young girl in your life, a copy of this book and watch them “become the change they want to be in the world”.


Desiree-Anne Martin


Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

Speak Up! By Laura Coryton is the antidote to claims that young people aren’t interested in politics or to the idea that young people are too young to bring about any kind of change.

It is written in a simple and easy to read format with clear headings helping the reader to understand step by step how they can create their own campaign.

Speak Up! Is worth reading just for her own story of how she brought about the end of the tampon tax.

As well as the information on this campaign, the author also included information on topics such as how to handle trolls, sexual assault and consent.

I like that this book promotes independence and the idea that if you are passionate enough about changing something you can create the change you want.

Speak Up! Is an idle book for teens and young adults.

Thanks Netgalley for the eARC. Speak Up was very informative and I enjoyed this book I gave it a 3.5star rating. I loved all the activist tips and all the strength and empowering . This is a book people definitely need to read.

A really easy and enjoyable read, showing how you can make a change. It highlights the highs and lows of campaigning, and how to keep going even if it doesn't go to plan. Recommend having this available to all young people, encouraging them to think about the change they are able create on issues they feel passionately about.