If I'm going to be a pessimist, then I should just stop writing for young people because that's too heavy a burden to put on young readers. But also, I get to meet with people who have waded through horrible things, and they get up every morning, and they try to do their best. Deborah Ellis burdenheavyhorrible share on social
I think most people, no matter what their situation, manage to find joy and comfort in their daily lives. I also think things fall apart. Deborah Ellis comfortdailyfall Change image and share on social
As a woman in Canada, I get to do whatever I want to do, and I'm used to that. I'm used to not having my government tell me my life is going to be restricted because I'm female. Deborah Ellis canadafemalegovernment Change image and share on social
We never know who we are going to be until we are tested, but perhaps we can test ourselves without going to the extremes of war. Perhaps we can be kinder now, live with less now, reach out to others now - and build an inner reserve of a strong identity that will hold us up even when everything else falls away. Deborah Ellis buildextremefall share on social
There's a big thing in Canada that parents need to talk to their children about drugs and sex. I don't think talking to your kids about war is any less important than that. Deborah Ellis bigcanadachild Change image and share on social
In refugee camps around the world, I met people who were gone. They were still walking around but had lost so much that they were unable to claim any sort of identity. Others I met found who they truly were, and they generally found it through service to others. They became teachers when there was no school, books or pencils. Deborah Ellis bookcampclaim share on social
You have to see the human being in the enemy. If there is potential for change, there is still hope. Deborah Ellis changeenemyhope Change image and share on social
When the Taliban took over in 1996, the news of their crimes hit the Toronto papers. As a feminist and as an anti-war activist, I heard about what was happening to women, and I wanted to do something to support those folks. Deborah Ellis activistanticrime share on social
We owe it to our children to be honest about the world and to provide them with material written specially for them. Deborah Ellis childhonestmaterial Change image and share on social
In 'Off to War, Voices of Soldier's Children,' kids from Canada and the United States talk about what it is like when their mother or father goes off to war - and comes home again. Deborah Ellis canadachildfather Change image and share on social