In "Crafting Change", author Jesesica Vitkus explores the history of craftivism by telling the inspiring stories of how many people turned to crafts to cope with tragedies, advocate for change, and bring communities together. Viktus includes a variety of craft mediums and is intentional in including activist movements from diverse communities. I'd recommend this book to anyone with an interest in social justice, feminist studies, or activism or is just fed up with the state of the world and wants creative ways to take action.

I loved this. I also now want to be a knitting historian. Who knew that was a job? I learned so much about so many amazing people making the world better through craft. I look forward to sharing this with the teens at my library and maybe even putting together some programming to make teen craftivists.

This is a fantastic book that was much more in depth than I expected. It covers all kinds of crafting that has been done as activism for all different causes. It’s filled with photos, interviews and projects. It would be a perfect gift for young or old crafters with passions for social causes.

I read a temporary digital arc of this book for review.

This was so interesting! I’m not big on nonfiction, but this combines so many interesting concepts as far as crafting goes, in addition to history and current cultural issues that inspire others to create and speak up. I’d highly recommend this as a way to get informed of how even the smallest things make a huge difference, both in your life and in others!

This is an incredibly short and insightful book about activism. I learned a bit while reading this and plan on implementing it.

This will be a great nonfiction add to my classroom library! The book is divided up into sections depending on craft and highlights interviews with “craftivists”. I am definitely the target audience because I love crafting and activism. I found the chapters informative, the author doesn’t assume prior knowledge, and she does a good job of diversifying her crafts. I wish there had been more with the graffiti and zines chapters, but overall found this a light, informative read.

I never, ever read nonfiction but I have to say…this book is FABULOUS! As a huge crafter and as a person with a minor in gender studies, I was intrigued to see how I could use my hobby for political protest and encouraging change. Color me inspired. Vitkus dives into crafts and more in this teen-friendly (but really, teen and above friendly) how-to. I started reading shortly before Roe v Wade was overturned here in the U.S. and I’ve never been more angry, but thanks to Vitkus’ encouragement and words of wisdom, I took my frustration out on a cross stitch design that I fully intend to create and post online. Nothing more lethargic than staying up until 4 in the morning to create a pattern to protest unconstitutional change.

Not only did this read inspire me to use what I already knew, I also got started on some new crafts so I can protest with those too. I believe a Pussyhat is in my future, and maybe some Jean jacket billboards and Spell-It-Out Bracelets. So many ideas!

Thank you, Jessica, for taking the time to write this, interview others, provide detailed craft how-tos, etc. I think this is my new anthem for craftivism. And I’m proud to call myself a new craftivist.

Crafting Change is a book about activism through crafts. This book was different from what I expected. I thought there would be many more craft instructions and how-tos for each different medium of craft but rather, Jessica Viktus hones in on a specific activist or a particular cause and describes in detail how they use their crafts for their activism. I found this interesting and enlightening in many different ways. Teens and young adults would find this book helpful if they are first stepping into activism and aren't sure how to go about it.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.