Zach Hunter is a teenager who is breaking the mold. In this, his first book, Zach is 14 years old and just finding his passion - freeing slaves. The book was revised five years later, but only the statistics and facts were updated, leaving Zach's original writing unchanged. Even at 14, his passion is evident and his resulting actions are inspiring.

Throughout the book, Zach examines the elements that are required to truly make a change in a global problem, such as human slavery. Each chapter looks at one of the elements - inspiration, influence, community, courage, leadership, compassion, endurance, sacrifice, overcoming, standing firm, and passion. In each chapter, Zach tells the story of a hero, historical or current, who made a difference in the world, and demonstrated this element of effecting change. We learn about people such as William Wilberforce, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Given Kachepa, Winston Churchill, Queen Esther, and others.

Zach encourages teenagers to find their own passion, and pursue it for the good of others and the glory of God, whether that is fighting slavery or not. Many of his examples center around his own passion of slavery and trafficking, but the overall theme of the book is on human rights - the God-given rights of humans made in His image. He encourages young people to think outside of their own self-centered worlds, and examine what is going on in a broader context. He then challenges them to think about how to cultivate the elements necessary to evoke change. Each chapter comes with a set of discussion and thinking questions at the end, asking pertinent questions to help young people engage the issues presented, and examine what their next steps should be towards change.

The example of historical figures and modern-day heroes will challenge, encourage and inspire people of all ages to be the change. I highly recommend this book to all families with preteens and teens. It would be particularly suited to a small group of teenagers who are willing to read and discuss together.

Product Review by Kim Kargbo, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, February 2012