Excerpt: The Young Activists

While interviewing young people for her monthly Child magazine column called "KidSpeak," Elizabeth Rusch gained a deepening appreciation, she says, for this rising generation's energy and idealism. She was also struck by the ingenious ways some of those students had found to put their idealism into action. In July, the Oregon-based writer, a former managing editor of Teacher magazine, published a book exploring the thoughts and activities of these young members of what she calls "Generation Fix." Written to challenge and appeal to young people, as well as to inform parents, teachers, and other adults of their aspirations and concerns, Generation Fix: Young Ideas for a Better World gives the firsthand testimony of 8- to 16-year-olds from around the country who are trying to make a difference in their world. They share their ideas and concerns on problems that range from racial inequality to environmental threats. Below are a few of their thoughts on education:

"Every school should have an after-school tutoring program where you hire people to help kids with things they did not understand that day. If they learn it that day, they won't fall that far behind. You could hire retired teachers or just anyone who is smart and can explain stuff clearly without lots of big words."

—Elizabeth Jager, 11