by Innosanto Nagara
Triangle Square
11/05/2019, hardcover
SKU: 9781609809355
Here is the story of the social movement that bestselling children's book author and illustrator Innosanto Nagara witnessed as a child growing up in Jakarta and how it overturned the government of Indonesia. People, everyday people, were not happy with their government. At first the protests were at the universities. But then they spread. People drew sustenance from other social movements in other countries. And then the unthinkable happened. The protagonist in this fictionalized children's memoir is a witness and a participant, fearful sometimes, brave sometimes too, and by the time change comes, this child who is now an adult, is as surprised as anyone.
Reviews:
"A powerful narrative that encourages long-term awareness, work, sacrifice, and patience in order to effect change for all people. Inspiring." --Kirkus Reviews
"In this fictionalized memoir, Nagara ( The Wedding Portrait) engages readers with a conversational approach, starting with his own beginning. 'Born in the eye of a Monsoon Storm, ' a baby arrives in an Indonesia beset by political tempests and corrupt leaders; the Minister is a particularly looming figure, depicted as a cynical, sinister villain. Though dates are never specified, mentions of the Vietnam War, the Soweto uprising, the Irish Troubles, Space Invaders, and the Indonesian Reformasi movement may help contextualize the era. In both his words and his dynamic, textured artwork, Nagara skillfully connects personal experiences to larger themes of social justice: neighborhood kids unite against bullies and teach a larger lesson of solidarity ('If you band together with others you can win'), and a movement that removes the Suharto regime from power in Indonesia after many decades reinforces the idea that revolution is a long game. Through these moving vignettes, Nagara offers a powerful reminder to readers that "it's real people who make real social change movements a reality." Ages 8-12. --Publishers Weekly
"Another powerful, empowering (dangerous, in a good way) book for readers of all ages by the incredible Innosanto Nagara, artist, writer, activist--a true superhero with superpowers of compassion, sensitivity, oodles of talent, and heaps of love. Who can resist Inno? . . . Best of all is the message Nagara delivers about the true superhero in the book, we, the people--we are a power to be reckoned with when we find each other and stand united. Read this book. Join the movement. See you on the streets!" --Julia Alvarez, author of In the Time of the Butterflies and A Wedding in Haiti
"Innosanto Nagara has done it again--and how lucky we all are for that! M is for Movement is another bold, bright, powerful book that uses a relatable personal narrative to relay a complex political history--and a necessary lesson in how ordinary people can create extraordinary change. It's a riveting, empowering, and visually stunning adventure." --Kate Schatz, New York Times-bestselling author of Rad American Women A-Z, Rad Women Worldwide, and Rad Girls Can
"This imaginative and highly appealing children's story, enlivened with brilliant artwork, focuses mainly on the shattering yet inspiring history of modern Indonesia, but has much broader resonance and outreach. Its lucid and powerful message is that ordinary people, with courage and dedication, can help create popular movements that change the world, even under the most onerous conditions. Lessons that could not be more pertinent for all of us today." --Noam Chomsky
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