Author: Amanda Gorman
Illustrator: Loren Long
Publisher: Viking
Grade level: K to 3
Summary
Change Sings is an illustrated poem
that shows the efforts of a black young girl and her group of friends to address
the challenges facing their community. At first the unnamed protagonist is
singing alone and playing her guitar but as the book unfolds, she encounters
new people, makes friends, and works with them to improve their community. She
encounters a boy with a yarmulke, and they began to clean their local playground. Next, they
approach a woman with a child and share some food. Their next encounter is with
an elderly woman, and they leave groceries on her doorstep as they play
instruments together. Their next interaction is with a frowning, slightly older
boy with an intimidating dog but they win him over and he joins their efforts
to build a wheelchair ramp for one of their neighbors. The group goes on to
revitalize an abandoned local market and finally the story culminates in a celebration
in front of a mural that features the children with the quote “We are the
change!”
Social Justice Element
This book represents Social Justice Element #6: Social Action. It
shows children taking personal action to address issues in their community.
They are shown forming connections and combining their efforts to meet the
needs they see. For example, they start with cleaning the playground and
eventually work to bring a fresh food grocer to their neighborhood. Those
actions speak to environmental justice and food justice which are pressing
issues in so many communities. With their activities, they support individuals
and the entire community. It is a great introduction to the power of organizing
and coalition building.
Potential Activity
I would use the book as a starting point for examining what my students would like to see changed in their area and what steps they could take to start making a difference.
- Begin with a discussion about what students love and what they want to change about their neighborhood.
- Guide the students in researching what other communities and children are doing to address the identified issues.
- Have students think-pair-share about who they know and who might be able to help them make positive change in their area.
- Using a template have students generate a proposal to address an issue they identified.
- Partner with an appropriate CBO or activist to give feedback to the students and plan how to implement the proposal.
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