Xiuhtezcatl Martinez

This slim volume really packs a punch.

Martinez says right at the beginning that he has been an activist and an artist for most of his life, and you can feel the power of his experience, passion, and creativity throughout his writing. I read this essay in one sitting, swept up by the force of his words until about 2/3 of the way through. This one section, describing his musical career and his rise to fame, feels disconnected from the rest. The previous chapter ends on a dire note, but instead show more of continuing the "we can fix this" momentum, he outlines his own exceptional childhood and teen years, describing experiences and opportunities that seem unattainable for the average person. He brings it together in the end, though, emphasizing that we need all kinds of skills, including creativity and music, to bring people together and combat the climate crisis.

If teens can pick this title out of the pack, they will not be disappointed. The author's voice is authentically edgy, with swearing and slang naturally peppered into the powerful speech. There were even facts and stories that I hadn't encountered before, but I found myself wishing for more references to back up the statistics. While it is far from a textbook, this is an accessible introduction to the issue; I could see already-inspired teens sharing quotes and passing this book along to others.

I received a copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

I did not expect this to hit me the way it did. It was warning and dread filling, while staying inspiring and hopeful at the same time. I really liked the way it was written and its intersectional way of viewing the crisis our world is going through, stretching the importance of thinking of our problems as something intertwined.

Literary Merit: Very Good
Recommended
Grades: 9 and up

The Pocket Change Collective is a series of “small books with big ideas from today’s leading activists.” They are 4”x6” and 64 pages, so they truly are pocket-sized. The authors are a diverse group of young adults (most are in their twenties) whose stories are accessible and could be inspirational to teens. They focus on big ideas like climate change, art, and LGBTQIAA+ issues through the lens of each writer’s experiences that show more led them to their particular form of activism.

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez calls on young people to make their voices heard in the fight to stop climate change in Imaginary Borders. Martinez’s journey as a climate activist began when he was just six years old and has continued into his young adulthood through his work with Earth Guardians. Martinez writes about going through a period of feeling disconnected from his activism until he began to fuse it with his work as a musician. He asserts that climate change is an issue that does not respect the imaginary borders of race, class, party, and nationality created by humans (“A superstorm doesn’t ask your political affiliation before wiping away your home”). He explains how climate justice is tied to racial and social justice and argues that for real change to occur, people from every stratum of society must be willing to make changes. This quick read would be great for teens who are budding activists or those wanting to better understand the social issues tied to climate change. show less

I don't agree with him politically but I appreciate the work on the subject matter.