Voices of Justice: Poems About People Working for a Better World, written by George Ella Lyon and illustrated by Jennifer M. Potter. Henry Holt and Company, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2020. $26.99 ages

"That, Virginia said, 
is how men keep 
all the power!
Few women have 
ever had a chance
to be writers, scholars, 
artists. Until we have 
a room of our own, 
she declared, & money
of our own to live on, 
the genius half 
of the human race 
will be sacrificed 
to the other half."

Virginia Woolf lived at a time when giving her life over to writing was not the accepted practice for women. She paid no attention to what was expected of her; instead, she lived a life where reading and writing were at its core. Her writing was as radical as her actions, and helped lead readers to a new kind of novel they had not yet seen. 

In the poetry created by Ms. Lyon to honor the lives of those who have occasioned change in the world, readers meet people who have done, and continue to do, amazing acts of heroism. They are heroes of history, both past and present. Their stories have garnered attention to their lives and causes. Some are lesser known that others; all have done a remarkable job of bringing attention to causes near and dear to their hearts. 

Poetic forms are varied and often offer visual clues for sharing. The people represented here were born as early as the mid-nineteenth century, and as late as 2003. Their stories, and their lives, are inspiring for those who want to make a difference in the world. Their causes are as varied as they are. They have their say through writing, speaking, acting, and caring about the world they live in. It takes love, bravery, and persistence to fight for what is right. They are worthy of our admiration. Knowing more about them shows us that words and actions have a serious place in making the world better. 

The book ends with an invitation to readers:

'In these poems, you've met people
who grew into big voices.
Yours doesn't have to be big. 
It just has to be yours.

You                 so new
in this old, old world:
Welcome!"

 Back matter includes additional information about each activist presented, a guide for parents and caregivers, a glossary, and a list of selected sources for the content.