With Roots & Shoots Day of Peace at the end of the month, it's the perfect time to read about peacemakers and recognize the ability of each individual to make a commitment to peace.

Published in March 2008, Great Peacemakers: True Stories From Around the World by Ken Beller and Heather Chase tells the inspiring, true-life stories of 20 extraordinary peacemakers from around the world—including our own Dr. Jane, a United Nations Messenger of Peace since 2002.

Other featured peacemakers in the book include Indian peace legend Mahatma Gandhi, pioneering environmentalist Rachel Carson and Green Belt Movement founder Wangari Maathai.

The winner of four National Indie Excellence Book Awards, Great Peacemakers gives readers hope for a peaceful world. While Roots & Shoots members have a lot of great peace project ideas, this book offers readers even more ideas for creating peace in their own lives:

PEACEFUL KIDS

• Make peace fun. Try a peace puzzle—work a jigsaw or figure out a crossword.
  
• Download free stuff, like a bookmark or a Companion Journal. Then, download a Roots & Shoots Day of Peace card to share with friends at school.

PEACEFUL YOUTH

• Watch videos about the peacemakers. Consider organizing a screening of Dr. Jane's Reason for Hope DVD.
  
• Read more and learn more with Great Peacemakers' online resources. Take what you've learned and start a thread on the Roots & Shoots Discussion Boards.

PEACEFUL ADULTS

• If you're a Roots & Shoots group leader, check out the book's targeted study guides, tailored to groups of various ages and settings. In the United States Four Corners Region, Roots & Shoots staff used the book and study guide at their regional Youth Leadership Training Conference.
  
• Educators can take advantage of special book offers or upload their own group members' work. Once you've taken action, be sure to submit a Project Report to the Roots & Shoots Project Database.

Geared up for peace? Find more ideas and resources on the Roots & Shoots Day of Peace web pages.