Rise Up: Ordinary Kids with Extraordinary Stories

I knew nothing of the story of surfer Bethany Hamilton, or that of chess superstar Phiona Mutesi ahead of reading ‘Rise Up: Ordinary Kids with Extraordinary Lives’. These are some of the unknown children and young children who feature in this absorbing book. The range of subjects and their achievements is riveting. Furthermore, the way the book is arranged sustains our interest. After a biography of each of the twenty nine featured young people, there is further information. We are invited to read about the issue that concerned the subject, or the area of his/ her achievement, or how an heroic act might have been achieved. There is information about how to join or support a particular focus. There is further information about the life of the young person. Thereafter, we learn about subsequent progress and impact of the work done.

Obviously people such as Malala Yousafzai and Ellie Simmons feature. However, the writer has chosen to head further into history to remind us of the extraordinary achievements and heroism of young people like Louis Braille and Desmond Doss. We are also reminded of continued struggles like those that absorb Greta Thunberg and Boyan Slat.

‘Rise Up: Ordinary Kids with Extraordinary Stories’ is a title that deserves to be shared, read and known. We are proud to recommend this wonderful book to our readers.