For the child curious about how the world works, this book explains the vital role and history of the United Nations in promoting peace and cooperation.
A parent might reach for this book when their child starts asking big questions about world news, war, or why some people don't have enough food. It is an excellent resource for a young mind trying to make sense of complex global issues. Published for the UN's 50th anniversary, this book clearly explains the organization's history, structure, and mission. It breaks down how different countries try to cooperate on huge problems like peacekeeping and human rights through agencies like UNICEF and WHO. For children aged 8 to 12, it provides a solid, hopeful foundation for understanding global citizenship and the importance of teamwork on a massive scale.
The book directly addresses the reasons for the UN's existence: war, genocide, famine, poverty, and disease. The treatment is factual and historical, not graphic. For example, it discusses the devastation of WWII as the catalyst for the UN's creation. The resolution is consistently hopeful, framing the UN as a positive, collaborative force working to solve these problems.
Ideal Reader
This is for the intellectually curious 9 to 12-year-old who is starting to engage with the news and world events. They might be a budding historian, a future diplomat, or a child who thinks in systems and wants to understand how the world is organized. It's for the kid who asks, "But who's in charge of helping them?"
Parent Prep
Parents must frame the book's 1995 publication date. The core mission of the UN is the same, but the specific global conflicts and political landscape have changed. Parents should be prepared to discuss what has happened since, for instance, mentioning the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals or more recent peacekeeping missions. It is a historical document as much as a civics lesson. A parent hears their child ask about a conflict on the news, "Why can't they just stop fighting?" or sees them express confusion or sadness about global problems like hunger or refugees. This book provides a structured, hopeful answer.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will latch onto the concrete work of agencies like UNICEF and the core concept of a "club for countries". An older reader (10-12) will be able to grasp the more abstract political concepts, such as the Security Council's veto power and the complexities of international law.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many contemporary books that focus on a single issue or a UN goal, this book offers a foundational, institutional overview. Its strength lies in explaining the 'how' and 'why' of the UN's structure. Its slightly dated perspective is unique, offering a snapshot of global concerns in the mid-1990s, making it a valuable historical artifact.
Read plot summary
This nonfiction book offers a comprehensive overview of the United Nations, written to commemorate its 50th anniversary in 1995. It details the UN's origins after World War II, explains the functions of its primary bodies (the General Assembly, the Security Council), and highlights the work of its various agencies like UNICEF, WHO, and UNESCO. The text uses historical photographs and accessible language to illustrate the UN's role in peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, human rights advocacy, and international cooperation.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The book explains that the UN was created after World War II to prevent another global war. Based on what you read, what are the main tools the UN uses to keep peace?
2
The book discusses specialized agencies like UNICEF (for children) and WHO (for health). If you could create a new UN agency to solve one specific world problem today, what would it focus on and why?
3
The Security Council has five permanent members that can 'veto' a decision. Why do you think this rule was made? How could a veto be a good thing or a bad thing?
4
This book was written in 1995. What are some major world events that have happened since then where you think the UN would have been involved?
