I Learned a New Word Today ... Genocide

Author: Elizabeth Hankins
ISBN: 978-0-9811606-0-3

Synopsis

“The word for what we’ve studied these past few weeks, boys and girls, is genocide.” I watched Mr. Steinberg turn from the chalkboard to face our social studies class. He looked sort of strange, like he was sad or something. “And if you want to help end it…if you want peace and protection for all people…you have to get involved and do the thing that you can do.”

Javier Mendoza has learned a new word and he doesn’t like it. But as his fifth grade class explores the shocking history in countries ranging from Armenia to Sudan, Javier realizes that the past – and even the present – is telling him a story that he can’t ignore. Then he overhears a conversation that triggers a mysterious chain of events at his school. Now Javier is faced with the reality that no one is immune to the consequences of genocide. And perhaps everyone has a responsibility to help end it…even Javier himself.

About the Author

Elizabeth Hankins, author of The Calling, is an activist and cultural strategist who consults for organizations in transition. She lives in Texas. www.ElizabethHankins.com

Customer Reviews:

Praise for I Learned a New Word Today…Genocide

“This is a lovely and moving book. As someone who teaches genocide at a university
level, I’ve often wondered how I would grapple with the challenge of conveying the subject to a younger audience – both the horror of the events,
and the opportunities for intervention and positive social change. Elizabeth Hankins has accomplished that task superbly. Her humane and accessible
tale will captivate not only younger readers, but many of their elders as well.”

Adam Jones, Ph.D., author of Genocide: A
Comprehensive Introduction

“Elizabeth has the ability to discuss some of the hardest issues facing humanity in a way that leaves
the
reader with hope rather than frustration about the evil in this world. Genocide continues to scar the lives of countless innocent people,
and “the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is”, as Edmond Burke stated, “for good men to do nothing.” It has never been more critical
for us to instill in the hearts and minds of our children a deep commitment to guard the sanctity of human life, and I believe Elizabeth’s vital
work will help to do exactly that. She has written about the reality of genocide in a way children can understand, using her strong sense of
conviction that we are our brother’s keeper and that each of us can use our voice to stand for truth and justice, and inspire future leaders to live
for the noble cause of protecting the innocent.”

U.S. Congressman Trent Franks, Arizona

“I Learned a New Word
Today…Genocide is an example of the powerful way to educate our youth to become changemakers. The historical references to 20th century genocides,
and the complex web of politics that surround the issue, are presented in a way that will help children understand that they too can play a role in
the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities.”

Sam Bell, executive director of Genocide Intervention Network
/> “Principled without being preachy and serious but not too solemn, this book is exactly what young people need to read to understand one of the
darkest parts of human history. The good news is that we can prevent genocide from happening, but it requires a sober understanding of what has taken
place and a call to action so that history does not repeat itself. With this book, Elizabeth Hankins gives a gift to everyone who knows and loves a
young person. Buy it and pass the gift on to another. You and they will be richer for it!”

D. Michael Lindsay, Ph.D., author of Faith
in the Halls of Power

“I Learned a New Word Today...Genocide capitalizes upon the unique opportunity to breed a generation of
political will and conscience through education. Children who learn about the atrocities of the twentieth century today will evolve into the
constituency that continues to stand up against human rights abuses in Darfur, Burma, and Congo, now and in the future. Hankins demonstrates to her
young readers that with time and dedication, their collective outcry will move the international community to action.”

Emily
Cunningham, Massachusetts state coordinator, and Greg Kuo, director of Teach Against Genocide

“I Learned a New Word Today…Genocide
is a powerful book that will educate children about genocide, teaching them indelible lessons about defending the powerless and protecting life. This
essential book will shape young lives and install a lifelong commitment to end genocide and mass atrocities once and for all!”

Cory
Smith, human rights attorney and faith outreach advisor

“For years now, I’ve lived with and moved among victims of genocide. For
many of us, genocide
is a foreign term with generic statistics, too overwhelming and distant to process. In reality, genocide is intensely
personal – it’s faces, it’s names, it is our brothers and sisters. I Learned a New Word Today…Genocide personalizes genocide for all of us. It
is skillfully crafted, a captivating read for the reader of any age. Yet even more, it compels one to action. I treasure this book and wholeheartedly
endorse it. May we all be powerfully moved.”

Peter Swann, executive director of Aid Sudan

“Out of a heart of
compassion for the world, author Elizabeth Hankins has a birthed I Learned a New Word Today…Genocide. And out of a faith in the compassion of young
people the world over, and a faith in their desire to do justice and love mercy, she has given the responsibility of telling this story of the
sobering reality of genocide to a fifth grader, Javier Mendoza. I urge you to read Hankins’ book, and, with hope and love, to give it to the young
people you know who will be the world-changers we so desperately need.

”Faith J. H. McDonnell, director, Religious Liberty Program
and Church Alliance for a New Sudan, The Institute on Religion and Democracy, Washington, DC; author of Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern
Uganda’s Children.