According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 68 million people in the United States are under the age of 18. That's 26% of the population, who participate in school and community activities, spend more than $150 billion a year, and care about the world in which they live. However, that's also 26% of the population who cannot vote and who are supposed to be seen and not heard, making for a resounding 100% of the future who have not been encouraged to exercise leadership today. Youth want to participate and more adults recognize that the long tradition of making decisions for youth without youth has failed. This book reveals how many young people with firsthand knowledge of many of today's problems can succeed at getting decision-makers, from school principals to state senators, to respond to their ideas for change. The book recounts dozens of true stories that show how young activists at any age can put their passion into action. After an introduction, the book is divided into the following chapters: (1) "Preparing to Act Up"; (2) "From Dreaming to Doing"; (3) "It's Your Freedom, It's Your Right"; (4) "Strategies for Influencing Decision-Makers"; and (5) "Keep Plugging Away." (BT)