If I Had a Hammer: Stories of Building Homes and Hope with Habitat for Humanity

by David Rubel

Book Overview

President Jimmy Carter's compelling anecdotes inspire a personal look at Habitat for Humanity that is sure to fire up a younger generation.

For a quarter-century in more than ninety countries, Habitat for Humanity has built homes in partnership with the people who need them, aided by more than a million multigenerational volunteers. Two of the most devoted are former president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn. This captivating account,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763647691
• ISBN13: 9780763647698
• Release Date: August 2010
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.6" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

This is a leisurely, fascinating read that will introduce the young reader to Habitat for Humanity!

Many people have heard of Habitat for Humanity and might have even worked on one of their projects, but may not be familiar with its history and what actually goes on behind the scenes. The basic mission of this organization is to "rid the world of substandard, or poverty housing" and improve the lives of individuals so "that they can not just survive but thrive in the world. In this book you will learn about people like Warren Fuller whose dream life turned into a nightmare because he was so obsessed with his business and making money that he didn't notice his marriage was falling apart. When Warren gave away all his money and began anew he started seeing the needs of other people, including the need for decent housing. You'll learn about him and another man named Clarence Jordan who claimed that building homes for others was a "dignified way to bring rich and poor together for the benefit of both." Complexes such as the Mascot Flats building along with individual homes have enriched the lives of many. You'll meet the recipients of these homes like Debbie Kinder as they share their stories, you'll learn how many hours of sweat equity are required of the home owners, you'll learn how the houses are designed, how designs change with individual or cultural needs, you'll meet the volunteers, you'll learn about "blitz" building, and much more! For those who know a lot about Habitat for Humanity, this book may not have much to offer them. For others this text is an excellent introduction to this organization. It is a leisurely, interesting read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have worked on the construction of one house, but never really knew a great deal about Habitat and was very pleased to be reintroduced to its principles. This book, designed with the young adult reader in mind, just might plant a few ideas in their minds. With "more than 1.1 billion people worldwide [living] in inadequate housing" there is a lot of work to be done!

Great Read

As a devoted supporter of Habitat for Humanity and the writer David Rubel, I was very much looking forward to If I Had A Hammer--and neither disappointed. What an enjoyable and insightful read! Rubel not only artfully weaves the history of this magnificent organization together in an easy-to-follow way, but he also captures the spirit and joy of the program. It is an inspiring story, and one that children and adults will appreciate. In these challenging economic times, If I Had a Hammer will remind you of all the potential out there if we share our talents.

For the next generation of volunteers

This book is a compelling, affectionate, and easy-to-read introduction to Habitat for Humanity, the US-grown international organization that should be an inspiration to everyone -- and should be known about by every child and teen. The first chapter tells the interesting story of the creation of Habitat, from the early efforts of Millard and Linda Fuller and Clarence Jordan to the momentous involvement of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. Then chapters 2 through 6 describe the practical working of Habitat mainly through anecdotes featuring children and teens: why some families need houses and how they are selected by Habitat (chapter 2); why Habitat houses are designed the way they are (for community integration) (chapter 3); why Habitat attracts the volunteers it does (chapter 4); how Habitat houses are built (chapter 5); the benefits of Habitat service for volunteers (chapter 6); how Habitat addresses even such basic needs as those for water and sanitation (chapter 7); and how the Habitat ethos of service might even help to heal social conflict within communities (chapter 8). Please give this stirring book -- to children, libraries, and schools -- to help create the next generation of Habitat volunteers.