About the Book
Javier Mendoza has learned a new word and he does not like it. As his fifth grade class explores the shocking history of countries ranging from Armenia to Sudan, Javier realizes that the past - and even the present - is telling him a story that he cannot ignore. Then he overhears a conversation that triggers a mysterious chain of events at his school. Now Javier is faced with the reality that no one is immune to the consequences of genocide. And perhaps everyone has a responsibility to help end it, even himself.
About the Author :
Elizabeth Hankins, author of The Calling, is an activist and cultural strategist who consults for organizations in transition. She lives in Texas.
Review :
" I Learned a New Word Today. Genocide personalizes genocide for all of us. It is skillfully crafted, a captivating read for the reader of any age. Yet even more, it compels one to action. I treasure this book and wholeheartedly endorse it. May we all be powerfully moved." -- Peter Swann, Executive Director "Aid Sudan"
"Elizabeth has the ability to discuss some of the hardest issues facing humanity in a way that leaves readers with hope rather than frustration about the evil in this world. She has written about the reality of genocide in a way children can understand, using her strong conviction that each of us can use our voice to stand for truth and justice." -- U.S. Congressman Trent Franks "Arizona"
"I Learned a New Word Today. Genocide is a powerful book that will educate children about genocide, teaching them indelible lessons about defending the powerless and protecting life. This essential book will shape young lives and install a lifelong commitment to end genocide and mass atrocities once and for all!" -- Cory Smith "Human Rights Attorney and Faith Outreach Advisor"
"I Learned a New Word Today. Genocide is an example of the powerful way to educate youth to become changemakers. The historical references to 20th century genocides, and the politics that surround the issue, are presented in a way that will help children understand that they too can play a role in the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities." -- Sam Bell, Executive Director "Genocide Intervention Network"
"Out of a faith in the compassion of young people the world over, Elizabeth Hankins has given the responsibility of telling this story of the sobering reality of genocide to a fifth grader, Javier Mendoza. I urge you to read Hankins' book and to give it to the young people you know who will be the world-changers." -- Faith J. H. McDonnell, director, Religious Liberty Program and Church Alliance for a New Sudan, The "Author of Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern Uganda's Children"
"Principled and serious but not too solemn or preachy, this book is exactly what young people need to read to understand one of the darkest parts of human history. We can prevent genocide, but it requires a sober understanding of what has taken place and a call to action. Elizabeth Hankins gives a gift to everyone who knows & loves a young person!" -- D. Michael Lindsay, Ph.D. "Author of Faith in the Halls of Power"
"This book could breed a generation of political will and conscience through education. Children will evolve into the constituency that continues to stand up against human rights abuses. Hankins demonstrates to her young readers that with time and dedication, their collective outcry will move the international community to action." -- Emily Cunningham and Greg Kuo "Cunningham, Massachusetts State Coordinator and Kuo, Director of Teach Against Genocide"
"This is a lovely and moving book. As someone who teaches genocide at a university level, I've often wondered how I would grapple with the challenge of conveying the subject to younger audiences - both the horror of the events, and the opportunities for intervention and positive social change. Elizabeth Hankins has accomplished that task superbly." -- Adam Jones, Ph.D. "Author of Genocide: A Comprehensive Introduction"
"Elizabeth has the ability to discuss some of the hardest issues facing humanity in a way that leaves the reader with hope rather than frustration about the evil in this world. Genocide continues to scar the lives of count-less innocent people, and "the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is," as Edmond Burke stated, "for good men to do nothing." It has never been more critical for us to instill in the hearts and minds of our children a deep commitment to guard the sanctity of human life, and I believe Elizabeth's vital work will help to do exactly that. She has written about the reality of genocide in a way children can understand, using her strong sense of conviction that we are our brother's keeper and that each of us can use our voice to stand for truth and justice, and inspire future leaders to live for the noble cause of protecting the innocent."
U.S. Congressman Trent Franks, Arizona
"For years now, I've lived with and moved among victims of geno-cide. For many of us, genocide is a foreign term with generic statistics, too overwhelming and distant to process. In reality, genocide is intensely personal - it's faces, it's names, it is our brothers and sisters. I Learned a New Word Today. Genocide personalizes genocide for all of us. It is skill-fully crafted, a captivating read for the reader of any age. Yet even more, it compels one to action. I treasure this book and wholeheartedly endorse it. May we all be powerfully moved."
Peter Swann, executive director of Aid Sudan
"I Learned a New Word Today. Genocide is a powerful book that will educate children about genocide, teaching them indelible lessons about de-fending the powerless and protecting life. This essential book will shape young lives and install a lifelong commitment to end genocide and mass atrocities once and for all!"
Cory Smith, human rights attorney and faith outreach advisor
"I Learned a New Word Today. Genocide is an example of the powerful way to educate our youth to become changemakers. The historical references to 20th century genocides, and the complex web of politics that surround the issue, are presented in a way that will help children understand that they too can play a role in the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities."
Sam Bell, executive director of Genocide Intervention Network
"I Learned a New Word Today...Genocide capitalizes upon the unique opportunity to breed a generation of political will and conscience through education. Children who learn about the atrocities of the twentieth century today will evolve into the constituency that continues to stand up against human rights abuses in Darfur, Burma, and Congo, now and in the future. Hankins demonstrates to her young readers that with time and dedication, their collective outcry will move the international community to action."
Emily Cunningham, Massachusetts state coordinator, and Greg Kuo, director of Teach Against Genocide
"Out of a heart of compassion for the world, author Elizabeth Hankins has a birthed I Learned a New Word Today. Genocide. And out of a faith in the compassion of young people the world over, and a faith in their desire to do justice and love mercy, she has given the responsibility of telling this story of the sobering reality of genocide to a fifth grader, Javier Mendoza. I urge you to read Hankins' book, and, with hope and love, to give it to the young people you know who will be the world-changers we so desperately need."
Faith J. H. McDonnell, director, Religious Liberty Program and Church Alliance for a New Sudan, The Institute on Religion and Democracy, Washington, DC; author of Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern Uganda's Children
"Principled without being preachy and serious but not too solemn, this book is exactly what young people need to read to understand one of the darkest parts of human history. The good news is that we can prevent genocide from happening, but it requires a sober understanding of what has taken place and a call to action so that history does not repeat itself. With this book, Elizabeth Hankins gives a gift to everyone who knows and loves a young person. Buy it and pass the gift on to another. You and they will be richer for it!"
D. Michael Lindsay, Ph.D., author of Faith in the Halls of Power
"This is a lovely and moving book. As someone who teaches genocide at a university level, I've often wondered how I would grapple with the challenge of conveying the subject to a younger audience - both the horror of the events, and the opportunities for intervention and positive social change. Elizabeth Hankins has accomplished that task superbly. Her humane and accessible tale will captivate not only younger readers, but many of their elders as well."
Adam Jones, Ph.D., author of Genocide: A Comprehensive Introduction
