Laura Scandiffio has written many non-fiction books for young readers, including Escapes! in the True Stories from the Edge series. She lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario.
Themes described here are universal but especially relevant to the intended audience, with highly engaging and up-to-date exemplars of the right ways to say no. (Erin Anderson Booklist 2012-11-15)
An inspiring, informative collection of profiles of people who sacrificed freedom and life to take stands against oppression and to champion human rights.... Scandiffio's concise, engaging profiles offer readers an informative overview of these heroes and their accomplishments, and occasional sidebars provide background information. These inspiring stories of people who challenged the status quo make for riveting reading, as well as excellent starting points for research and discussions about civil disobedience, ethics and morality. (Kirkus Reviews 2012-09-15)
Given Scandiffio's writing style, sometimes the book reads like good historical fiction. (Caroline Hanson School Library Journal 2012-09-01)
Especially relevant to the intended audience, with highly engaging and up-to-date exemplars of the right ways to say no. (Erin Anderson Booklist 2013-01-01)
By blending storytelling with non-fiction elements, Scandiffio helps readers to relate to these figures as real people, giving life to what may otherwise seem like a distant historical event. (Amanda Cannon Canadian Children's Book News)
As she notes in the introduction, the author has woven in scenes and conversations that serve to personalize these stories, while remaining true to history. (Mackin Books in Bloom 2013-01-04)
An excellent resource book and information text supporting research projects, literature study groups studying global social justice themes, and global issues. (Sharon P. Armstrong Resource Links)
I found this book very inspirational. It made me think about how I can change injustice in my everyday life and around the world. (East Van Bookworm 2013-08-27)
Talk about character education: here are seven inspirational profiles of individuals and groups from all over the world who have stood up against various forms of oppression, from Nazi Germany to present. While author Laura Scandiffio takes some liberty in adapting conversations and scenes to dramatize various struggles, they are all closely based on true events and the people who sparked them. It is gratifying to find both genders equally represented in these accounts of moral courage. (Green Teacher)