REVIEWS
Te first half of Severn Speaks Out is a re- printing of the speech Severn Cullis-Suzuki delivered at age 12 at the 1992 United Na- tions Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. She became known as “the girl who silenced the world for five minutes” when she addressed world leaders with a challenge to take action to protect the Earth for generations to come. Te text of the speech is accompanied by
SEVERN SPEAKS OUT by Severn Cullis-Suzuki Commentary by Alex Nogués Translated by Susan Ouriou Illustrated by Ana Suárez Groundwood Books, 2022 56 pages, $14.99 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Jennifer Tobin
illustrations by Ana Suárez. Tese images give readers the opportunity to reflect on the importance of Cullis-Suzuki’s message, that when adults – especially world leaders – are making decisions, they must consider what the impact will be on their descendants. Cul- lis-Suzuki provides a voice to children and inspires them to take on the responsibility of making changes in the world, even though they are “only a child.” Te second half of the book consists of
commentary by Spanish writer and geolo- gist Alex Nogués, written nearly 30 years later. Tis section highlights some of the ex- periences Cullis-Suzuki and fellow delegates had aſter speaking with local children. Tose
Lion on the Inside is the powerful and inspir- ing true story of Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, a fierce advocate for basketball for all. As a young child, Bilqis excelled at basketball and was encouraged by her family to continue pursu- ing the sport. However, when she was ready to launch her professional basketball career, Bilqis was told that she could not play the game wearing her hijab because of specific rules around headgear. Desperate to play professionally and pursue her talents, Bilqis was put in the unfair situation of having to choose between her religious identity and her career. Tough she made the difficult decision
LION ON THE INSIDE: HOW ONE GIRL CHANGED BASKETBALL by Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir with Judith Henderson Illustrated by Katherine Ahmed Kids Can Press, 2023 40 pages, $21.99 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Rabia Khokhar
to walk away from professional basketball, Bilqis, with the support of others, played a foundational role in overturning the unfair rule around headgear by writing letters and speaking out. Bilqis continues to have a last- ing impact through her non-profit organiza- tion and other opportunities she engages in to advocate and inspire. Tis book is a critical tool for the class-
room as it offers many opportunities for cross-curricular learning. In Language Arts, students can write letters to Bilqis sharing
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 45
most distant from hardship oſten make de- cisions that impact the lives of many. Time continues to pass, and yet we are still fighting for the same goals. Te text concludes with another intergenerational advocate, Greta Tunberg, who addressed the UN confer- ence on climate change in 2018. Her speech echoed Cullis-Suzuki’s sentiment, calling for a “renewal of hope.” Tere are several connections to the Sci-
ence and Social Studies/Geography cur- riculum from Grade 1 to Grade 8. Page 41 explains how Cullis-Suzuki’s speech is an ex- ample of a persuasive message and provides students with the ancient Greek structure of ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and lo- gos (active reasoning). Te book closes with an invitation for readers to continue to be part of the “renewal of hope.” Using this book as a teaching tool can ignite student imagina- tions and provide a sense of how the world has changed – and stayed the same – since Cullis-Suzuki’s original speech.
Jennifer Tobin is a member of the Durham Teacher Local.
their views around her achievements and ad- vocacy. Tey can also be encouraged to learn more about equity issues in basketball/sports and write letters advocating for change. In Visual Arts, students can draw, design and create their own basketball jerseys. Students can learn about community helpers and the characteristics of role models in Social Stud- ies. In Physical Health and Education, they can try some of Bilqis’s basketball moves. Trough the exploration of this book,
students can feel inspired and motivated by Bilqis’s example and they, too, can seek out causes they are passionate about, and consider the actions they can take to make a positive impact in their communities. Tey can also remember, reflect on and imple- ment Bilqis’s important words: “Sometimes the paths on our journey are difficult, but re- member that we are making the paths easier for those who will follow.”
Rabia Khokhar is a member of the Toronto Occasional Teacher Local.
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