Sundem - Real kids, real stories, real character: choices that matter around the world

Copyright 2016 by Garth Sundem

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Unless otherwise noted, no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher, except for brief quotations or critical reviews. For more information, go to www.freespirit.com/permissions.

Free Spirit, Free Spirit Publishing, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Free Spirit Publishing Inc. A complete listing of our logos and trademarks is available at www.freespirit.com.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Sundem, Garth, author.

Title: Real kids, real stories, real character : choices that matter around the world / Garth Sundem.

Description: Golden Valley, MN : Free Spirit Publishing, [2016] | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016016029 (print) | LCCN 2016025225 (ebook) | ISBN 9781631980268 (paperback) | ISBN 1631980262 (paperback) | ISBN 9781631981265 (Web pdf) | ISBN 9781631981272 (Epub)

Subjects: LCSH: ChildrenBiographyAnecdotesJuvenile literature. | ChildrenConduct of lifeAnecdotesJuvenile literature. | CourageAnecdotesJuvenile literature. | Creative abilityAnecdotesJuvenile literature. | DiligenceAnecdotesJuvenile literature. | ChildrenPolitical activityAnecdotesJuvenile literature. | Social actionAnecdotesJuvenile literature. | Altruism in childrenAnecdotesJuvenile literature. | BISAC: JUVENILE NONFICTION / Social Issues / Values & Virtues. | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Social Issues / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance.

Classification: LCC CT107 .S7983 2016 (print) | LCC CT107 (ebook) | DDC 305.23dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016016029

Free Spirit Publishing does not have control over or assume responsibility for author or third-party websites and their content. At the time of this books publication, all facts and figures cited within are the most current available. All telephone numbers, addresses, and website URLs are accurate and active; all publications, organizations, websites, and other resources exist as described in this book; and all have been verified as of April 2016. If you find an error or believe that a resource listed here is not as described, please contact Free Spirit Publishing. Parents, teachers, and other adults: We strongly urge you to monitor childrens use of the Internet.

Cover photo credits, top to bottom: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez; AP Photo/Judy Fitzpatrick, File; AP Photo/Grant Hindsley

Reading Level Grade 6; Interest Level Ages 913
Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading Level W

Edited by Brian Farrey-Latz
Cover and interior design by Colleen Rollins

Free Spirit Publishing Inc.
6325 Sandburg Road, Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55427-3674
(612) 338-2068
www.freespirit.com

Free Spirit offers competitive pricing.
Contact for pricing information on multiple quantity purchases.

To Leif and Kess,
may you change the world.

CONTENTS

Teenage racecar driver Zach Veach puts up with kids who bully at school, and older drivers who think hes too young to race, to make it on the IndyCar circuit.

Young reporter Eunice Muba spoke out against teenage marriage and a system in which only one out of four girls goes to school.

When Winter Vinecki was 10 years old, her dad died of prostate cancer. Now, she is the youngest person to run marathons on all seven continents, raising money for cancer research along the way.

In a rural Indian village, Arti could have sat back and enjoyed being the daughter of the village leader. Instead, she campaigned against the discrimination of Indias caste system.

Do you think it takes courage to launch 20 feet off the top of a Mega Ramp and spin in the air three full times? Ask 12-year-old Tom Schaar, the first person to land a 1080 on a skateboard.

When Michaels dad flipped their farm truck on a remote road, it took courage and a little ingenuity to call for help.

The floor of 13-year-old Jasuel Riveras home was covered in cardboard and glue. But for Jasuel, it wasnt trash. He needed those supplies for his inventions.

What does folding a paper crane have to do with math and science? Both follow precise steps toward an elegant finish... at least to Calista, who started her club Origami Salami to inspire kids to study science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

This Silicon Valley seventh grader used a LEGO Mindstorms kit to build a braille printer that helps blind people read the Internet. How? By listening to the creativity inside himself.

When you buy one of these ugly-cute dolls, the boys design, sew, and deliver another one to a childrens charity. Sometimes everyone needs a monster to love.

When Amanda was eight, she was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome. When she was 12, she spoke to the United Nations about what it feels like to hold a paintbrush.

In memory of her grandmother who died just before her 60th birthday, six-year-old Alex decided to perform 600 acts of kindness.

To combat cyberbullying at his high school, Kevin started a Twitter account to point out the good things he saw in people around him. Soon the cyberbullying stopped and @OsseoNiceThings took over the school.

Connors little brother, Cayden, had cerebral palsy and couldnt enjoy running, biking, and swimming like other kids. That is, until Connor started towing, pulling, and pushing his little brother in triathlons.

After Hashmats parents were killed for opposing terrorists in Afghanistan, he and his siblings fled to the United States... arriving just after the September 11 attacks. When classmates called him racist names, Hashmat met their insults with kindness.

Justice was the star wide receiver of his middle school football team. When the team engineered a way for their learning disabled team manager to score a touchdown, they all had the opportunity to be famous. Heres what Justice did instead.

It took 14-year-old Robert hundreds of hours at the public library to learn to design the game app Bubble Ball. Now, its been downloaded over 9 million times.

Is your lunchroom a little bit gray, a little bit dark... a little bit drab? It sure was at Brooklyns PS 123. Christopher decided to do something about it.

Was that a dog in an open garage on a freezing Michigan night? The back of 10-year-old Danny DiPietros mind told him it was something more, and he didnt give up until his mom went to check it out.

What do you get when you spend thousands of hours taking hundreds of runs on a small, icy ski hill in New Hampshire? Perfect technique, thats what. Oh, and some Olympic medals.

Theres a difference between muscles and mussels. Heres how Samantha used her mussels to go from a homeless shelter to the State of the Union Address.

In Russian, ya sama means I can do it myself! Thats what Tatyana has been saying since she was a disabled child in a Russian orphanage. Maybe it was independence that helped this Paralympian win on the track and in the courtroom.

A kid with a severe speech impediment on the debate team? Some people might think those two dont go together. Heres how Amit Dodani proved them wrong.

No one should have to live the childhood of James Williams, who was abused in foster homes. But his story is also one of hope and of overcoming a terrible past.

What do you do when your most embarrassing moment goes viral and is seen by 70 million people? If youre Benni Cinkle, you bounce back with honesty, humility, and humor.