In a time when we could all use a little bit of inspiration, the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) provides true accounts of kids taking courageous action. Merriam Webster defines the word inspiring as “having an animating or exalting effect.”
The Activists and Reformers category within Biography Reference Center features individuals who have left an indelible mark on the world. Iqbal Masih was 4 years old when he was sold into modern day slavery working 12 hours a day in a Pakastani carpet factory. After spending 6 harrowing years hunched over a loom, he snuck away from the factory and attended a rally sponsored by the Bonded Labor Liberation Front and spoke about his experience as a child slave. This initial act was the beginning of a 2-year crusade resulting in the heightened awareness of child slavery and the release of thousands of children before his death at age 12. Additional resources on Iqbal’s life and his incredible impact can be found with a simple name search in Explora for Public Libraries.
Environmental activist, Greta Thunberg, was only 15 years old when she began protesting in front of the Swedish Parliament building in 2018. EBSCO’s K-8 eBook Collection offers titles detailing Greta’s tireless work in speaking truth to power about the realities of climate change and boldly demanding adults act now for the sake of future generations. For those interested in learning more about her work and the larger climate change debate Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints provides a vast array of journal articles, videos, and news articles.
Since 2005, the organization Kid's Rights has been awarding the International Children’s Peace Prize to young change makers across the globe. The eBook You Can Too! Change the World highlights the inspiring accomplishments of children such as Kesz Valdez, who began giving away flip flops to kids living on the streets of his city in the Philippines when he was just 7 years old or Chaeli Mycroft, the first female quadriplegic to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. She also launched the Chaeli Campaign, which provides free physical therapy, equipment, and inclusive classrooms to other kids with disabilities in South Africa who wish to gain their own sense of freedom.
May we all be moved to take a cue from the youngest among us who have demonstrated the importance of investing in something larger than oneself and acting despite the odds.
If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact melerhelp@mcls.org for help.
Brought to you by Heather Wood-Gramza from the MeL Team.
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