Reviews

How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation by Maureen Johnson

rosered879's review against another edition

inspiring sad medium-paced

3.5

This book would be so inspiring had I read it 8 years ago…now it’s just a depressing reminder of how much as have lost. 

marvelruinedmyspirit's review against another edition

4.0

This book would be a great resource not only for teens but also for adults who don't know where to begin, though a couple of entries only had the merit of existing, and just barely.

Maureen Johnson - 4/5
Junauda Petrus - 5/5
Dylan Marron - 5/5
Malinda Lo - 4.5/5
Lauren Duca - 5/5
Rebecca Roanhorse - 5/5
Jason Reynolds - 4/5
Carolyn DeWitt - 4/5
Hebh Jamal - 5/5
Javier Muñoz - 4/5
Jennifer Weiner - 3.75/5
John Paul Brammer - 4.5/5
Daniel J. Watts - 3/5
Ali Stroker - 5/5
Shaina Taub - 3/5
K.C. Green - 4/5
Dan Sinker - 3.5/5
Maya Rupert - 3.5/5
Rosie O'Donnell - 2/5
Jacqueline Woodson - 5/5
Libba Bray - 2.5/5
Jonny Sun - 5/5
Jodi Picoult - 5/5
Kate Linnea Welsh - 4/5
Alex Gino - 4/5
Justin Mikita & Jesse Tyler Ferguson - 5/5
Sabaa Tahir - 2.5/5
Dana Schwartz - 4/5
Jeffrey Rowland - 3/5
Karuna Riazi - 5/5

missbookiverse's review against another edition

3.0

How I Resist is an uplifting collection of essays, comics, songs, and interviews by a wide variety of voices, including the LGBTQ community, POCs, and the disabled. It's a good starting point to get motivated, maybe especially for teens, but it's really only scratching the surface. What I liked the most was that it acknowledged the different sides of activism: You don't have to go to a march to show your protest, writing a book or simply standing up for yourself (and others) can be an act of resistance just the same.

I listened to the audiobook of this, so I missed out on the illustrations. While the single narrator Soneela Nankani did a fantastic job (especially considering the interview format of some pieces), I kind of wish this would've been a full-cast production with the actual authors. The collection includes songs and some pieces feel like slam poetry, so some original recordings would've been sweet.

My favorite essays were by Daniel J. Watts, Maya Rupert (about Wonder Woman not being black), and Dana Schwartz (about being Jewish).

zephyr42's review against another edition

5.0

I couldn't put this down. I picked it up to page through on my Kindle and immediately recognized names that belonged to people I admire and love (in the way that you do when it's a stranger on the internet whose work and existence gives you joy), and I couldn't wait to hear what they had to say. And between the familiar names were unfamiliar ones, whose words opened new doors to ideas and gave me a glimpse of new ways of living and being that I hadn't sought out before. Now, my appetite is far from sated and my Twitter is out of control and my TBR pile is higher than ever and yet I cannot stop listening to their voices and reading their work and seeking out more.

aine15590's review against another edition

3.0

*3.5

jwinchell's review against another edition

4.0

Writers, actors, and activists share their passion for activism and resistance. Some entries are essays, some are creative works, some are interviews. I found a number of inspiring people to follow on Twitter. Representation matters, and gun violence was glaringly absent. It's always tricky when adults give young people advice, but this book manages to come off as cool and inspiring.

annmeyer's review against another edition

4.0

A collection of essays, poems, comics, and other media, How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation draws on the backgrounds and experiences of a plethora of authors, creators, and activists who offer inspiration and information to young people on the ways of resistance.

There's quite a bit of both useful and engaging (and intersectional) perspectives, featured in this collection, creating potential for truly anyone, not just the younger generation, to learn or consider something new about their place in the world and the power of their voice.

I've also uploaded a bunch of my highlights for this which includes all of my favorite quotations.

(And as a lil personal note: Libba Bray has been one of my favorite authors since I was about 12 years old. Her piece in here simply renews my love for her; the queen of satire gets at all the hard and ugly shit about our reality.)

jaldep91's review against another edition

1.0

What a bunch of whiny baby crap.

dogswithnogs's review against another edition

4.0

I needed a book to help me with the weight I feel of what is going on in the world and hopefully motivate me to get off my butt and help make change happen. This book was excellent for that, but my only criticism it left me wanting more. Since it’s written in essay style, I know have many other activists to read up about.

cperko's review against another edition

5.0

I love how this is written for teenagers. The short snippets from different people in different formats is a really great way to receive information. It is very straightforward and clear. It inspires action and hope, which is needed. I appreciate the different perspectives and the action guide at the back! There are some new books to add to my reading list for sure!