The Best Way to Get Your Way

by Tanya Lloyd Kyi

Overview

An engaging introduction to debating skills.

Kids are used to disagreeing with rules - not that anyone ever listens. But what if there was a way of disagreeing that worked? What if kids could change adults’ minds? Welcome to debating! Here, kids follow along as two debaters on opposing sides tackle five hot-button issues. They go step-by-step through the debate process, from constructing an argument to rebutting an opponent. Then, readers get to pick a side - and they just might surprise themselves! Debating wins!

The jury is in: Debating is smart. It's logical. And it’s perfect for winning arguments. What kid could resist that?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781525311468
Publisher:	Kids Can Press
Publication date:	05/02/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Tanya Lloyd Kyi is the author of more than twenty-five books for children and adults, including This Is Your Brain on Stereotypes, Under Pressure and Mya’s Strategy to Save the World. Tanya lives with her husband and two teenagers in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Chanelle Nibbelink is a Canadian American illustrator from California, currently based in Utah. She has an Honors Bachelor of Illustration from Sheridan College. When she's not drawing, Chanelle can be spotted rollerblading, practicing yoga, playing ukulele or falling asleep to a book. Chantelle lives in Draper, Utah.

Editorial Reviews

A must-read primer for change.—Kirkus Reviews, starred review (Praise for This Is Your Brain on Stereotypes)

This useful resource encourages active listening and respectful discourse, valuable skill sets at any age.—Booklist

... provides an introduction to debating skills for students ... [and] also highlights listening and speaking skills, the importance of researching a topic and critical thinking.—CM Magazine

A worthwhile purchase ... that will help readers recognize, understand, and eradicate stereotypes.—School Library Journal (Praise for This Is Your Brain on Stereotypes)

Alongside Drew Shannon's colourful illustrations [Lloyd Kyi] encapsulates key sociological and scientific research on racism and stereotyping.—New York Times (Praise for This Is Your Brain on Stereotypes)

... a rousing introduction to the art of debate and offers a crash course in critical thinking.—Quill & Quire

This book provides a needed skill in a fun way to older elementary readers.—Children's Literature

From the Publisher

2023-02-08
A basic introduction to formal debating.

Pairing off 10 young speakers—depicted as racially diverse in Nibbelink’s stylized artwork—to tackle such bland propositions as “Kids should clean their rooms” and “Kids should do their homework,” Kyi lays out opening statements, rebuttals, and conclusions for each exchange of views. These are accompanied by analytical notes on chains of logic, evaluation of authorities and information sources, and types of arguments as well as pointers on proper delivery. Readers are unlikely to find any of the presentations actually persuasive one way or the other, but as samples they do show how to frame and counter arguments, present factual data, and sum up. Still, despite incorporating catchy slogans into some arguments (“Mess-free is stress-free”), she never challenges her underlying premise that rational discourse alone is enough to effect opinions in the real world—so her promise to impart “persuasion superpowers” to her audience will more likely come to pass using more detailed and nuanced handbooks like Claire Duffy’s TheTeen’s Guide to Debating and Public Speaking (2018). Kyi does offer a list of meatier topics to tackle, along with a generalized description of what to expect at an academic-style debate, at the end.

A quick once-over best for sparking interest in debating, but look elsewhere for a richer treatment. (glossary, selected sources, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews