José Speaks Out

José Speaks Out

Series: Speak Out
Written by: Mujica, José
Commentaries by: Camats, Dolors
Illustrated by: Guridi, Raúl Nieto
Translated by: Jarrín, Sofía
ages 9 and up / grades 4 and up

José Mujica is a former revolutionary, past president of Uruguay and climate activist.

José’s speech to the UN is famous for criticizing the contemporary economy, the inequalities of the world and the consumerism that drives our daily lives and pushes us to buy more and more.

José condemns our wasteful way of life, explaining that if we all lived like the average American we would need three earths. Today, he says, it is time to consider the planet as a home where we are all equal. Only through governing ourselves as a species will we be able to make way for a world that focuses on what is truly important: our relationships with each other, and how we relate to the world we live in.

José’s famous speech, translated for middle-grade readers, is strikingly illustrated by acclaimed illustrator Guridi and followed by an analysis written by Dolors Camats, showing young readers the greater context of who José is, the audience he was addressing and what made this speech so powerful.

The Speak Out series publishes the most inspiring speeches of our times, then deconstructs them to give young readers a deeper understanding of global issues and the power of language to influence them.


Key Text Features

biographical information

definitions

explanation

facts

headings

historical context

illustrations

informational note


Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:

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.

José Mujica is a former revolutionary, past president of Uruguay and climate activist.

José’s speech to the UN is famous for criticizing the contemporary economy, the inequalities of the world and the consumerism that drives our daily lives and pushes us to buy more and more.

José condemns our wasteful way of life, explaining that if we all lived like the average American we would need three earths. Today, he says, it is time to consider the planet as a home where we are all equal. Only through governing ourselves as a species will we be able to make way for a world that focuses on what is truly important: our relationships with each other, and how we relate to the world we live in.

José’s famous speech, translated for middle-grade readers, is strikingly illustrated by acclaimed illustrator Guridi and followed by an analysis written by Dolors Camats, showing young readers the greater context of who José is, the audience he was addressing and what made this speech so powerful.

The Speak Out series publishes the most inspiring speeches of our times, then deconstructs them to give young readers a deeper understanding of global issues and the power of language to influence them.


Key Text Features

biographical information

definitions

explanation

facts

headings

historical context

illustrations

informational note


Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:

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.

Published By Groundwood Books Ltd — Apr 2, 2024
Specifications 64 pages | 4.75 in x 7.875 in
Written By

JOSÉ MUJICA served as the president of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015. A former revolutionary and contemporary climate activist, he became known as “the world’s poorest president” for living in a small home, driving an old car and giving away 90 percent of his presidential salary. José's modest lifestyle reflects his criticism of rampant consumerism, a theme of some of his most well-known speeches.

Illustrated by

GURIDI’s children's books have been translated into a dozen languages and have won many awards, including the Middle East Book Award, and have been included on the USSBY Outstanding International Books list. He studied painting and drawing at the University of Seville, Faculty of Fine Arts. He lives in Spain.

Written By

JOSÉ MUJICA served as the president of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015. A former revolutionary and contemporary climate activist, he became known as “the world’s poorest president” for living in a small home, driving an old car and giving away 90 percent of his presidential salary. José's modest lifestyle reflects his criticism of rampant consumerism, a theme of some of his most well-known speeches.

Illustrated by

GURIDI’s children's books have been translated into a dozen languages and have won many awards, including the Middle East Book Award, and have been included on the USSBY Outstanding International Books list. He studied painting and drawing at the University of Seville, Faculty of Fine Arts. He lives in Spain.

Audience ages 9 and up / grades 4 and up
Key Text Features

biographical information; definitions; explanation; facts; headings; historical context; illustrations; informational note

Common Core CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3