Project Playground

Description: Jina learns her school is getting new playground equipment, but none of the students have been asked for their input. Inspired by a book about a girl who started a climate protest movement, Jina decides to start a protest movement of her own. She and her classmates chant and carry signs asking for their voices to be heard. Their protest works, and the students get to vote on which new equipment their school will get.

Brief description: Carol Kim believes books and words have a magical ability to change the world, and she writes for children with the hope of spreading some of that magic. She is the author of the picture book biography, King Sejong Invents an Alphabet as well as more than a dozen fiction and nonfiction books for the educational market. Carol loves unearthing real-life stories and little-known facts to share with young readers. She lives in Austin, Texas with her family. Learn more at her website: CarolKimBooks.com.

Review Quotes: Jina Jeong is back in a series of inspiring stories in which she takes action to improve her school and community. In one book, she and her friends tackle food waste by creating a Share Table at school, where kids can leave unopened food for others to take, and work with their families to waste less at home. In another, she befriends a girl who seems mean but is just sad. When Jina and her cousin notice ugly graffiti in the park, they learn about murals and, with a permit from the parks department, transform the graffiti into art. And in yet another story, when the school installs new playground equipment without consulting the students, Jina organizes a protest to make sure their voices are heard. In each book, as Jina learns more about an issue, the topic is presented with sensitivity, multiple perspectives, and facts explained in a way children can understand. The end of each book includes a glossary of key terms and thinking exercises to help kids reflect on how they can make a difference in their own communities. With a few colorful illustrations per chapter, these books are perfect for elementary readers gaining confidence with chapter books. VERDICT An inspiring series about community and making a difference--these books are a must-have for all collections.-- "School Library Journal"