Books about Decreasing World Suck by Example
Simply being
ourselves can decrease world suck. When we live with integrity and unabashedly
stand up for our beliefs (and our need to do spontaneous happy dances), we create
a powerful example. Our actions can inspire others to follow our lead and
embrace their individuality.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Everyone agrees
that Stargirl is strange. She wears old-fashioned clothing, has a pet rat,
serenades people on their birthdays with her ukulele, cheers for both teams
with an abundance of school spirit, and constantly looks for kind acts to
perform. But the students at her new high school, particularly her first love, Leo, are threatened by her
non-conformity and isolate her. She is faced with the impossible choice of
either being with Leo or retaining her individuality.
First Line: When I was little, my uncle Pete had a necktie with a porcupine painted on it.
Many students have been inspired by Stargirl’s message to start their own “Stargirl Societies” to promote self-confidence and self-expression. You can find resources to start your own Stargirl Society on the Resources page.
First Line: When I was little, my uncle Pete had a necktie with a porcupine painted on it.
Many students have been inspired by Stargirl’s message to start their own “Stargirl Societies” to promote self-confidence and self-expression. You can find resources to start your own Stargirl Society on the Resources page.
The Gospel According To Larry by Janet Tashjian
All Josh Swensen
wants to do is help make the world a better place. To do this, he creates his
own website called ‘www.thegospelacccordingtolarry.com,’ where he posts sermons
combating consumerism and promoting introspection under his pseudonym, Larry.
He only owns seventy-five possessions and posts pictures of them on his
website, hoping to inspire others to think about the purchasing choices they
make. His website thrives and attracts thousands of like-minded individualists,
including Josh’s best friend and unrequited love interest, Beth. But, when his identity is leaked and he is thrown into the limelight, Josh will have to find out if he can survive Larry himself becoming a product.
First Line: While I was waiting in line at the local grocery store, a young man approached me and asked me for the time.
First Line: While I was waiting in line at the local grocery store, a young man approached me and asked me for the time.
Buddha Boy by Kathe Koja
A Buddhist teacher renamed Michael and called him Jinsen, which means “the fountain of God,” but
the other kids at his high school call him Buddha Boy and mock him for his
shaved head and begging for donations during lunch. Jinsen is undisturbed by the negative
reactions of his peers and continues to act according to his beliefs, which
frustrates the bullies to no end. But, unlike the others, Justin is fascinated with Jinsen and
wants to know him better. When the two are paired for a school project, Justin discovers not only Jinsen’s hidden artistic skills, but also the reasons why
Jinsen became a Buddhist. As Justin starts to understand Jinsen better, he has to decide where he stands and if he is willing to stand up for his friend.
First Line: Like a flashback memory, he’s there in my mind: skimming up the stairs at school, his sloppy old T-shirt big as a sail, red tie-dyed dragon T-shirt, who wears stuff like that?
First Line: Like a flashback memory, he’s there in my mind: skimming up the stairs at school, his sloppy old T-shirt big as a sail, red tie-dyed dragon T-shirt, who wears stuff like that?