“History is more than wars and violence.

In fact, history has often been forged through conflicts of a different sort, when huge numbers of people banded together to fight and sacrifice for their side, without ever joining a conventional army or resorting to violence. Incredible individuals—who were not politicians or generals—led these movements.”

–from the introduction of WE ARE POWER How Nonviolent Activism Changed the World

On considering classes to take in middle school or high school, had I read this introductory statement I would have jumped at the chance to take the history class that covered THIS history book. A class on striving for justice would have won out over a class on fighting battles any day of the week.

Today many, many students have experience with protest marches and rallies, and the injustices of the 21st century weigh heavily on the young. At the time of this writing Black Lives Matter marches are occurring daily across the US and the world, even in the midst of a global pandemic. Climate Strike, March for Our Lives, and other gun control rallies are recent enough to continue to weigh on our minds and on our hearts. In short, this is a great book to have in the world and a high interest book for teens and preteens.

In WE ARE POWER How Nonviolent Activism Changed the World, Todd Hasak-Lowy presents the definition and ideology of nonviolent protest along with the history of nonviolent activism, tracing important movements in the 20th century: Gandhi’s work in South Africa and India, Alice Paul and her work with the Suffragettes in England and the US, Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, César Chávez and the Farm Workers Movement, Václav Havel and the Velvet Revolution, and Greta Thunberg and the Climate Change Movement. Each account is filled with details of the work of organizing, the dangers of participating, and the power of a people united against an oppressive system. Each account is straightforward, honest, and encouraging. And for those who read the main parts of the book and are looking at more, Hasak-Lowry provides short summaries of other successful movements that readers can use to jump start their own research.

I cannot imagine a better time for this book to come into the world. It could be used as a whole to spark lively class discussions or in parts with students focusing on a nonviolent movement of their choice to read and learn about or even read individually by students who are already involved in changing the world. Students, teachers, and others who read this book are sure to learn about and be inspired by the stories of the nonviolent activists who have made positive changes to the modern world. I hope it will fuel many to work toward a better future for all of humankind.

A thought-provoking treatise on nonviolent activism, We Are Power presents six case studies throughout recent history: Gandhi, Alice Paul, Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez, Václav Havel, and Greta Thunberg. Each section explores nonviolent resistance, the roots behind each advocate's activism, and how the power of one person, exhorting nonviolence, can motivate thousands and create change. In an increasingly contentious world, the power of nonviolent activism, and placing this information in the hands of a generation of activists, is not only smart, it's crucial. 

Beginning with Gandhi and his theory of "soul force", or satyagraha, each consecutive profile touches on how previous movements inspired one another. Martin Luther King in particular was influenced by Gandhi, while Alice Paul's suffrage activism was a response to the more extreme suffagists in the UK, and her desire to be seen as calm, unflappable, and strong. Cesar Chavez understood that increasing awareness of migrant worker conditions was the best way to bring social justice to migrant workers and received a letter of encouragement from Martin Luther King, himself leading nonviolent resistance movements to bring civil rights to the country. Playwright-turned-Czech president Vaclav Havel used his art to protest; later, letters from prison, where he wrote about truth and opened people's eyes by telling them that they were complicit in allowing their restrictive government's rule by following the rules. Teenager Greta Thunberg began her climate change protest by being the sole student striking for climate change, and motivated a planet to take action. 

A solid beginning for a discussion on social justice, activism, and civil disobedience, this is a must-have volume for middle school and high school collections. I can't wait to put this in my order cart when my library, opens again. This would be a great Summer Reading choice, for educators who haven't finished their lists yet. Photographs of protests and tense moments, like seeing schoolchildren attacked by dogs and being doused with hoses, make for great discussions on the use of violence against nonviolence - what stands to be gained? Comprehensive endnotes, bibliography, and index complete the book. Author Todd Hasak-Lowy's author webpage has videos and resources for parents and educators.

We Are Power has starred reviews from School Library Journal, School Library Connection, and Kirkus.

If you've ever wondered about nonviolent protest beyond lunch counter sit-ins, then you need this book. Hasak-Lowy takes us through several examples of activism in chronological order. This begins with Ghandi codifying what this form of protest means and applying it as a life philosophy. We traverse the globe between South Africa, Britain, the US, Czechoslovakia, and Sweden. We see different approaches to activism, be it through action, strike, sign wielding, or simply insistence at being acknowledged. We see the ways that their determination was challenged and the importance of compromise for peaceful resolution. And I like that there isn't any implication that this is the only way. Hasak-Lowy acknowledges that there are situations that can only be resolved with confrontation or moments when even the most peaceful person can be pushed too far. Still, we can all learn from these examples and find value in lesser known parts of history.

In We Are Power, by Todd Hasak-Lowy, middle grade and young adult readers are introduced to heroes in history who actively and courageously sought social change. These activists used nonviolent resistance and not war to achieve significant change. Looking at individuals such as Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, and Greta Thunberg, Hasak-Lowy gives readers insight into the struggles and triumphs of these leaders. He also makes the argument that Nonviolent Activism is the most powerful tool of resistance; always more powerful than violence and often more powerful than navigating the justice system.