BOOKS
Exploring the Concept of Advocacy in Fiction + Non Fiction By Janet Bibeau + Joanne Bibeau of Storybook Cove
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines advocacy as “the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal,” and an advocate as “one who supports or promotes the interests of a cause or group.” Advocacy, to be effective, needs certain factors: (1) Pick a specific issue, not a general theme, for which you want to be an advocate. If it is personal, you will be committed to the process for the long haul. It could be a group, like immigrants and refugees, or the homeless. It could be a connected community, like menstruating middle graders. (2) Make sure you know the subject matter, issues, and statistics, and the “how” and “why” of the change you want to happen. (3) Remember that the goal is to help others understand the issue and the changes you want.
Here are our picks for your advocate and advocacy-themed reading list:
Crossing the Line: Finding America in the Borderlands
By Sarah Towle
“Maid” is Stephanie Land’s first-hand account of a time in her life when she was suddenly a 28-year-old single mother forgoing her dream of attending school to become a writer, virtually homeless with no emotional support and very little financial support from family or her daughter’s abusive father, reluctantly pursuing any available assistance while cleaning homes to provide for her daughter. The absolute strongest identifier for Stephanie was Mia’s Mother. All her choices were based on trying to lovingly provide for her. When she “failed” in her own eyes, it was always in the context of the impact of her actions on her daughter’s health, well-being, happiness, and future. Others identified her as “poor,” the “maid,” or “demanding.”
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
by Caroline Criado.
While some of the statistics are a bit dated (the hardcover came out in 2019), the shocking root cause of gender equality remains the same. This well-researched, detailed work is a book of data that exposes male-biased tools, projects, services, medicine, approaches, thinking, and events—all of which relegate women as the second sex or, at best, a sub-type of men.
Not only does the data given by Criado clearly identify a gender data gap, it is usable by advocates to fight for change. She certainly brings home the point that when advocating for a cause that impacts both men and women (such as the protection of asylum seekers) the gender bias of reports, statistics, and services must be considered. Both Caroline in this book, and Sarah Towles in her book, write about the sexual attacks on detained women and other gender-based violence resulting from the fact that there was no consideration of risks for women that did not exist for men. The “one-size-fits-men approach to supposedly gender-neutral products [or services] is disadvantaging women.”
When studying data, you must consider whether women were included in the collection and analysis of the data and whether sex-disaggregated data is even available. Caroline gives guidance and examples in chapter after chapter of this impactful study.
15 Lies Women Are Told at Work
by Bonnie Hammer.
Vice Chair of NBCUniversal, Bonnie Hammer, counters the bad advice that holds back women at all corporate levels based on her five decades of experience in this direct, tell-it-like-it-is book. Hammer’s 15 no-nonsense points are guides to women to assess their choices, actions, and motives in the business world. These 15 points can also be used by women as tools in developing a strategy to advocate for themselves in the workplace. For example, Hammer’s detailed discussion debunking the premise that “talk is cheap” and replacing it with “talk is the most valuable currency we have” can be used as a clear outline of how to communicate your position and advocate for yourself.
Rough Sleepers
by Tracy Kidder.
This nonfiction book about homelessness in Boston follows 30+ years of Dr. Jim O’Connell’s work with the homeless. Not only does the book deal with the history of homelessness and the various advocacy programs, but it also shares with and involves the reader in the actual personal stories of various homeless people. There is no special cure or perfect circumstance that will help all people or solve all problems. Every homeless person deserves respect. They come to this from various negative situations (abuse, poverty, etc.). Many are lonely. Most are dependent on drugs, alcohol, etc. The book helps you to understand a little better how people cope with their varied lives. The people involved are “real,” not poverty statistics or something to hide away. They are people who want to have a better future. You see the ups and downs, the joy and sorrow, the successes and the failures of both the homeless and those who advocate for them.
No Place
by Todd Strasser.
This fictional teen book tells the story of Dan, a high school senior baseball star who seems to have it all. Then suddenly, he is homeless and living in a tent city with his parents. Can he keep his future college baseball scholarship to escape his plight? At first, he is embarrassed and tries to hide his predicament. His mother copes by sharing her gardening skills with other tent city occupants. His father is miserable and has lost his drive to persevere. Someone is trying to shut down the tent city, and the young leader in charge gets seriously hurt. What can or should Dan do to help his new friends and advocate for the tent city? What happens when people lose their dignity and pride? This book shows a teenager’s perspective on being homeless.
Kids Book About Periods
by Jessica Beil.
This book begins with: “Better together.” This book is best read together, grownup and kid.” This book is a very simple explanation of menstruation with the purpose of emphasizing that it is a normal body function that one need not feel ashamed or secretive about. The definitions of words at the end of the book, such as “endometrium” and “menstrual cycle,” give the details of what is a “period.” This book supports PERIOD, a global youth-powered nonprofit organization with the mission to end period poverty and the stigmas surround it. PERIOD.org.
Free Period
by Ali Terese.
This middle-grade novel is written in alternate chapters by Helen, a very intelligent, math in particular, eighth grader, and Gracie, an outspoken, flamboyant crafter and baker who is also an eighth grader, and the best, inseparable friend of Helen. These two pranksters, after a prank gone wrong, land in the principal’s office yet again; but this time, the “punishment” is to join a club at school. They pick the Community Action Club, and to their dismay, too late, they find out that their highly organized and future-oriented nemesis, Madison, is in charge of this club. The club’s final project is period equity. The club feels that anyone who has a uterus should have access to period products in all bathrooms. Both girls feel they can support this mission. After many failures of tactics, the group learns to get their message across by using all of their combined individual talents. They all learn to be their own unique person but also to work together.
The First Ladies
by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.
This writing partnership has produced a strong story portraying two formidable women, Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune, and their enduring legacies as historical figures at the start of the 20th century as well as private individuals who are friends across color lines. You will be both compelled and captivated by the author’s writing and by the story they are telling. Learn from the powerful and unforgettable Mary and Eleanor, their strengths and triumphs, and varied and creative steps and choices as advocates. Also, be inspired by their discovering and dealing with their own weaknesses and biases in order to become better advocates and friends.
Visit Story Book Cove in Hanover
Storybook Cove is an independently owned bookstore that was founded by Janet Bibeau (a former teacher and school librarian) in Hanover, Massachusetts (south of Boston) in 1990.
775 Washington Street, Hanover, MA
