This Child, Every Child

Gr 3—6—The author's goal is to introduce children around the world and show how their lives measure up to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. For each chapter, one of the articles is boxed, and a child in a specific country is highlighted; e.g., Sam was taken from his family in Sierra Leone and forced to join a rebel army. Smith reveals inequalities in such areas as food, homes, families, work, health, and education. Each page is packed with text that documents the struggles of many children, but it lacks depth. Each spread only scratches the surface with data regarding where and how the featured children live, and what their lives are like. The book is illustrated with soft, colorful, realistic illustrations showing youngsters in various environments, from sampan to skyscraper, from Niger to Sweden. The articles and information on learning more appear at the end along with some suggestions on how children might become involved in seeking positive changes in the lives of those less fortunate. This book may be used for an overview of world culture, but additional research will be necessary for a complete picture.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA