This fascinating look at Africa refutes the common assumption that the
Western world is the solution to the challenges the continent faces. An
excellent introduction to the subject for young adults.
Think Africa, and many people think of brutal war, endless famine,
pervasive corruption, unworthy rulers, universal poverty, an AIDS
epidemic out of control. As this book in the Groundwork Guides series
shows, these characteristics are both true and a caricature at the same
time.
With the bold new presence of China in Africa, with an active and angry
civil society demanding more from their governments, and with a new
generation of leaders apparently committed to doing better in the
future, a real possibility for positive change now exists. But for
Africa to move forward, the citizens of rich countries must be aware of
the false premises on which their own leaders deal with the continent.
While Africa faces a daunting list of challenges, the vast majority of
the continent's citizens live ordinary lives with the hopes and dreams
that all of us share.
"[The Groundwork Guides] are excellent books, mandatory for school
libraries and the increasing body of young people prepared to take
ownership of the situations and problems previous generations have left
them." -- Globe and Mail
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language
Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.2
Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through
particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal
opinions or judgments.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3
Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced,
illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or
anecdotes).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6
Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how
it is conveyed in the text.
