Feminism From A to Z

by Gayle E. Pitman, Laura Huliska Beith (Illustrator)

Overview

Gold Medal, 2018 IPPY Awards
Silver medal, 2017 Foreword INDIES Awards

An accessible primer for teens on history, current events, and essential issues through the lens of feminist theory and perspective.

A book for all teens — no matter what gender you are — about feminism: what it is, what it means, and how to do it...from A to Z. Not only will you learn something about yourself, your community, your people, and your world, you will discover kick-ass call-to-action suggestions and resources to take your feminism to a higher level! Written by the author of the Stonewall Award-winning book, This Day in June, Feminism From A to Z is an alphabetical primer on feminism for teen girls. Each chapter examines a topic that offers call-to-action exercises incorporated into each lesson. Includes an introduction to readers on how to use the book and an alphabetical list of ways to take feminist action.

From the introduction:

So many girls and women don’t have easy access to the tools of feminism. In fact, if we learn about feminism at all, it probably won’t be until after we finish high school. And that is a shame. Imagine how different life would be if, at the age of 13 and suddenly faced with casual sexism for the first time, you had a strong grasp of feminist principles and a hefty feminist toolbox at your fingertips? Let’s be more specific. Here are some situations where feminism can be really helpful:

• If you’ve ever felt “fat.”
• If you’ve ever been pressured to do something you didn’t want to do, or that went against your values.
• If you’ve ever been afraid to speak up.
• If you’ve ever been bullied—or been a bully.
• If your confidence has ever felt shaky.
• If you’ve ever felt unwelcome because of who you are.

Feminism can help you navigate all of these scenarios—and then some. That’s why I wrote this book. Because I believe that feminism will change your life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433828614
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
Publication date:	10/23/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	254
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	15 - 18 Years

About the Author

Gayle E. Pitman, PhD, is a professor of psychology and women's studies at Sacramento City College. Her teaching and writing focuses on gender and sexual orientation, and she has worked extensively with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. She is the author of This Day in June, When You Look Out the Window, and Sewing the Rainbow. She lives in California. Visit her at www.gaylepitman.com and follow her on Facebook: @GaylePitmanAuthor, Twitter: @GaylePitman, and Instagram: @GaylePitman.

Laura Huliska Beith is a free-lance illustrator living in Kansas City, MO with her husband and three dogs. She is a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute and has illustrated many children's books including The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill, and Little Red Hot by Eric Kimmel. Her illustrations have been shown at the Society of Illustrators Children's Book Show in NY, and Chemers Gallery in Tustin, CA. Visit her at www.laurahuliskabeith.com and follow her on Facebook: @laura.huliskabeith and Instagram: @sigmundpix.


 

Table of Contents

Why Teens Need Feminism
How This Book Is Organized
A is for ANGER
B is for BRAIN
C is for (non)CONFORMITY
D is for DON’T
E is for EASY-BAKE OVEN
F is for FAMILY LIFE
G is for GEEK
H is for HERO(INE)
I is for INTERSECTIONALITY
J is for JOKE
K is for KNITTING
L is for LITERACY
M is for MEDIA
N is for NO!
O is for OPTIONS
P is for PRIVILEGE
Q is for QUEER
R is for RADICAL
S is for SUPERGIRL
T is for TOUGH
U is for UTERUS
V is for VIOLENCE
W is for WOMAN TROUBLE
X is for XL
Y is for YIN-YANG
Z is for ZERO
26 Ways to Take Feminist Action—Today!
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

The author, Gayle E. Pitman, PhD, a professor of psychology and women’s studies at Sacramento City College, offers fascinating ways to frame subjects that one might not normally associate with feminism, including knitting and Easy Bake Ovens. Many of the other concepts highlight key aspects of feminism including awareness about violence against women and discussion of concepts like intersectionality and conformity. This book could be particularly valuable to program officers and grantees looking for gender equality content to blend into a curriculum of empowerment for all young people. Boys as well as girls would benefit from exploring the concepts introduced in the book, and carrying out the creative and mind-expanding exercises.

Philanthropy Women

This is a must-read book for any young person who wants to learn about feminism, take action to educate themselves, and be the best feminist they can be. This should be required reading in our schools. It makes history interesting and gives us hope for our future in these especially troubling times.

Kids’ Book Bu

Exceptionally ‘reader friendly’ in organization and presentation, making it an ideal and highly recommended addition to high school, community, and academic library Feminism & Women’s Studies collections.

Midwest Book Review

Gold Medal,2018 IPPY Awards

Silver medal, 2017 Foreword INDIES Awards

*“Pitman does an excellent job of making complex topics understandable and relatable while providing tips on actions people can take to bring more equality to the world. A great purchase for both public and high school libraries.” —School Library Journal Starred Review

“The author, Gayle E. Pitman, PhD, a professor of psychology and women’s studies at Sacramento City College, offers fascinating ways to frame subjects that one might not normally associate with feminism, including knitting and Easy Bake Ovens. Many of the other concepts highlight key aspects of feminism including awareness about violence against women and discussion of concepts like intersectionality and conformity. This book could be particularly valuable to program officers and grantees looking for gender equality content to blend into a curriculum of empowerment for all young people. Boys as well as girls would benefit from exploring the concepts introduced in the book, and carrying out the creative and mind-expanding exercises.” —Philanthropy Women

“Exceptionally ‘reader friendly’ in organization and presentation, making it an ideal and highly recommended addition to high school, community, and academic library Feminism & Women’s Studies collections.” —Midwest Book Review

“This is a must-read book for any young person who wants to learn about feminism, take action to educate themselves, and be the best feminist they can be. This should be required reading in our schools. It makes history interesting and gives us hope for our future in these especially troubling times.” —Kids’ Book Buzz

From the Publisher

11/01/2017
Gr 9 Up—Energetic and engaging, this primer on feminism covers a wide variety of subjects. Each letter's chapter covers a topic in three parts: a story or personal anecdote followed by in-depth discussion on the topic. The "Feminist Herstory" section highlights people who were leaders in the area or provides more historical background in general. Each chapter ends with "Try This!" activities ranging from crafts to answering questions. For instance, in "P is for Privilege," the 46 statements Peggy McIntosh published about privilege are included and followed by questions readers might have. The book ends with 26 actions to take, an extensive bibliography, and an index. The narrative stresses how gender stereotypes negatively impact both men and women. Pittman also addresses the unique situations experienced by trans women. The artwork is mostly a collection of real-life ads, news articles, diagrams, and other media. A color sketch of each letter, usually set in a collage featuring the subject, starts each chapter. There is an inaccuracy in the text when it mentions that Gloria Steinem's paternal grandmother came to the States after helping family flee the Holocaust when she had actually immigrated much earlier. VERDICT Pittman does an excellent job of making complex topics understandable and relatable while providing tips on actions people can take to bring more equality to the world. A great purchase for both public and high school libraries.—Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Library, WA

School Library Journal