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Beth Cox Report: November 2016

Dear Loyal Readers, Authors, and Publishers,

I hope this finds you well. Please forgive me for making this brief, and a little more personal than usual.

My uncle David Stubbs recently passed away, due to complications from cancer. He was a close member of the family, and over the course of his life he helped us here at the MBR more times than I can count.

What I remember the most about him is how much he loved nature, birds, and wildlife. Because of this, I'd like to mention The Conservation Fund as November's Link of the Month:

http://www.conservationfund.org

They are a charity dedicated to preserving the American environment. To quote their website:

"At the Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states to protect 7.8 million acres of land since 1985."

But don't take my word for it, or theirs. In the season of charitable giving, the best way to ensure that you're donating to a worthy charity, and not a scam, is to visit charity watchdog websites such as

Charity Watch: https://www.charitywatch.org/home

Charity Navigator: http://www.charitynavigator.org

Guidestar: http://www.guidestar.org/Home.aspx

The Better Business Bureau's National Charity Report Index: http://give.org/charity-reviews/national

Now for the November Book of the Month, which addresses the serious issue of protecting children from abuse, especially girls:



Who Will Speak For Me?
Lorraine Sherman Mason, author
Thinkstock, illustrations source
Archway Publishing
1663 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403
9781480822726, $16.95, www.archwaypublishing.com

"Who Will Speak For Me?" is a dynamic guidebook of empowerment for girls and young women with a dual focus both on teaching young women to speak up for themselves in situations of possible abuse and also on the community responsibility of all adults to take responsibility for advocating for safety for young girls and those unable to protect themselves. The author believes the following: "It is incumbent upon us all to keep a watchful eye, be accountable, and be advocates for the safety and well-being of those least able to protect themselves, girls and children in general." "Who Will Speak For Me?" was written primarily to accomplish the goal of empowering young girls to speak out requesting help and education regarding self-defense when they are in a harmful situation, such as sexual abuse, regardless of the identity of the perpetrator. The format of "Who Will Speak For Me" involves a series of questions implying a scene of endangerment of a child or girl, with an answered response from different community figures, adults, family members and others. It is a very powerful format, accompanied by poignant, aptly chosen, Thinkstock illustrations. An example is the following: "Who Will Speak for Me? When walking down the street or playing in my neighborhood can be unsafe for me? When men look at me like they want to undress me with their eyes? I will keep a watchful eye said the man/woman/girl/boy on the street. Tell those who care about you so they can handle it (pp. 8-9)." The use of different colored text shows a change of narrator, or speaker. The final example is a powerful summary and appeal: "Who Will Speak for Me? When I return home and everyone treats me like I should be ashamed of what happened to me? When I try to recover and everybody keeps reminding me that I 'was the girl who...' We will speak for you and protect you, said the community. We will let them know that you are more than what happened to you said the family, neighbors, community, and nation. We will all speak for you and keep you safe (pp. 20-21)." "Who Will Speak For Me?" is a powerful tool for change and healing in the movement to empower young girls and women around the globe.



That's all for the November 2016 Beth Cox Report. Happy holidays!

Bethany Cox
Managing Editor
The Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com

Bethany Cox
Managing Editor
The Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


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