Children and Youth

Brilliant Star: One Garden, Vol. 52, No. 1. This issue focuses on appreciating diversity and fostering unity among diverse people. Compelling content includes:

• Find out how Bahá’u’lláh transformed one man’s prejudice into love;
• Learn how ‘Abdu’l-Bahá treasured unity among people of different races;
• Explore diversity in nature with Maya’s bingo game;
• Create your passport for world citizenship;
• Craft a cool place for diverse birds to grab a snack;
• Quiz yourself on how you embrace a variety of cultures and backgrounds;
• Find out kids’ ideas for stopping prejudice and racism and staying hopeful;
• Discover how seeing the Earth from space changes an astronaut’s perspective;
• Choose someone you’d like to know better and conduct your own “Stargazer” interview.

From silly to serious, here is a compilation of sixteen fictional stories about walking your own path, finding friends, and fighting everyday battles. Read together, or read alone for ages 9 and up.

• How can Mica compete at the science fair when parents are helping the other kids?
• Niccolo doesn’t want to play in the symphony this summer, but can he bring himself to blow the audition?
• How will Jenna and Abby ever become astronauts if they're stuck on the farm, and lost in the maize?

Saichiro Fujita loved ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and made the aim of his entire life to be of service to Him. He was a source of great joy to everyone. He was faithful, capable, and full of laughter.

Once someone asked Fujita what he did for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He replied, "I never felt that I could do very much for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá." Then, after a pause, he added, "Sometimes I made Him laugh."

This is Fujita-san’s story. It is told through the words of a youthful gardener from Papua New Guinea named Mia, and shared with Paolo, a 10-year-old boy from Brazil.

A special gift set with all five books in the Change Maker series. The Change Maker Gift Set includes: Hazel Scott: A Woman, a Piano, and a Commitment to Justice; John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie: A Man, a Trumpet, and a Journey to Bebop; Richard St. Barbe Baker: Child of the Trees; Robert Sengstacke Abbott: A Man, a Paper, and a Parade; and Warrior Grandma: The Story of Patricia Locke.

The Change Maker Series highlights people connected with the Bahá’í Faith who worked to bring about social change. Written primarily for junior youth and youth, these stories examine injustice, perseverance, creativity, spirit, and much more, and will inspire the hearts and minds of readers of all ages.

A new book of prayers and meditative passages designed especially for junior youth and youth. The period of adolescence is a potent time of change, and this compilation aims to support youth to make time for prayer, meditation, and reflection. Beyond that, it is also meant to inspire young people to feel spiritually empowered to Strive, that their “actions day by day may be beautiful prayers.” It is organized thematically around a number of topics, such as trust in God, joy, difficulties, justice, service, and more.

Warrior Grandma: The Story of Patricia Locke by Littlebrave Beaston is the latest title in the Change Maker series. Patricia Locke—whose Lakota name, Thawáchin Wašté Win, means “Compassionate Woman”—courageously fought for the equality of Indigenous people in the United States and around the world. She was not only a staunch advocate for the rights of Indigenous people but a loving mother and grandmother.

This book teaches the values of generosity, selflessness, and the importance of building strong family relationships. Readers will learn about how prejudice affects American Indians and how Patricia advocated for equal rights for Indigenous people during her lifetime. The book also discusses the qualities of leadership, the principle of consultation, and the importance of courage and perseverance in the face of oppression and attempted assimilation. Patricia acted as a bridge between two cultures—white and Indigenous—and, even in the face of overwhelming difficulties, she always demonstrated compassion toward others. She embodied the qualities of a true Change Maker.

See other books in the Change Maker Series

Brilliant Star: Better Together, Vol. 51, No. 6. This issue empowers kids to build strong friendships through these activities and more:

• Explore the ingredients needed for successful collaboration;
• Find out how Bahá’u’lláh helped a kid in the mountains;
• Make a treasure box for a pal in Nur’s Nook;
• Discover how ‘Abdu’l-Bahá encouraged people to be their true selves;
• Draw yourself doing something that makes your spirit shine;
• Quiz yourself on how well you stay in touch with friends;
• Learn what kids around the world have to say about friendship;
• Practice what you would say when you and a friend disagree;
• Get to know Roman Orona, an Indigenous artist and performer who inspires us to remember how we’re all connected.