"Young persons are not alone in preferring to see how things are done in political life rather than to study the bare legal framework of the state. The author believes that emphasis on the structure of our government has been carried too far, especially in books for children and young students. The subject has been given too much of a legal character. Now to see men at work, to see them struggling for influence and power and performing the duties of office and of citizenship, is undoubtedly far more interesting than to consider the underlying legal principles of constitutional organization. The writer of this little book, the result of a period of leisure from more exacting duties, has therefore attempted to make it a portrayal of action in political life. Its prime purpose is to train boys and girls to notice and to understand what is going on about them in their town, state , and Nation."

Based upon a wide range of UK and European survey sources, together with qualitative and policy-focused analyses, this volume explores the attitudes of young people to politics and government in Britain and assesses the prospects for re-engaging young people with the formal political process.

"Obligatory reading for future informed citizens." —The New York Times "[This] charming book provides examples and sends the message that citizens aren't born but are made by actions taken to help others and the world they live in." –The Washington Post Empowering and timeless, What Can a Citizen Do? is the latest collaboration from the acclaimed duo behind the bestselling Her Right Foot: Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris. This is a book for today's youngest readers about what it means to be a citizen. This is a book about what citizenship—good citizenship—means to you, and to us all.