“Rooted in science” and offering teen readers tools for individual action, this is a necessary purchase for most libraries.
A comprehensive introduction to the scientific history and current understandings about climate change.
Heos opens her well-organized presentation with a strong statement of the reasons readers need to know about this issue: “Scientists agree that human-induced global warming is well under way, and that it is cause for great concern.” Chapter by chapter, she explains what climate is, describes its changing nature since Earth's beginnings, tells how scientists have determined that Earth is warming again, this time as a result of human actions, and suggests reasons for humans’ lack of response. Each chapter ends with tips on how to “Be the Change,” suggesting what readers can do personally to assess their own energy use; reduce household, fuel, agricultural, industrial, and waste emissions; and spread the word. A concluding section offers further and larger-scale solutions. Even the design of this well-thought-out briefing will remind readers that things are heating up: page numbers are set on red circles; almost every spread includes a red-bordered photograph or other graphic; and the suggestions to take action are printed in white on a red background. Many of the author’s sources, listed in an extensive bibliography, are available online. Determined readers can find and follow them up, but most of her revealing statistics are not footnoted.
“Rooted in science” and offering teen readers tools for individual action, this is a necessary purchase for most libraries. (bibliography, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Feb. 23, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-30347-8
Page Count: 224
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 10, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2015
Small but mighty necessary reading.
A miniature manifesto for radical queer acceptance that weaves together the personal and political.
Eli, a cis gay white Jewish man, uses his own identities and experiences to frame and acknowledge his perspective. In the prologue, Eli compares the global Jewish community to the global queer community, noting, “We don’t always get it right, but the importance of showing up for other Jews has been carved into the DNA of what it means to be Jewish. It is my dream that queer people develop the same ideology—what I like to call a Global Queer Conscience.” He details his own isolating experiences as a queer adolescent in an Orthodox Jewish community and reflects on how he and so many others would have benefitted from a robust and supportive queer community. The rest of the book outlines 10 principles based on the belief that an expectation of mutual care and concern across various other dimensions of identity can be integrated into queer community values. Eli’s prose is clear, straightforward, and powerful. While he makes some choices that may be divisive—for example, using the initialism LGBTQIAA+ which includes “ally”—he always makes clear those are his personal choices and that the language is ever evolving.
Small but mighty necessary reading. (resources) (Nonfiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-09368-9
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change.
Testa’s connection to and respect for nature compelled her to begin championing animal causes at the age of 10, and this desire to have an impact later propelled her to dedicate her life to fighting plastic pollution. Starting with the history of plastic and how it’s produced, Testa acknowledges the benefits of plastics for humanity but also the many ways it harms our planet. Instead of relying on recycling—which is both insufficient and ineffective—she urges readers to follow two additional R’s: “refuse” and “raise awareness.” Readers are encouraged to do their part, starting with small things like refusing to use plastic straws and water bottles and eventually working up to using their voices to influence business and policy change. In the process, she highlights other youth advocates working toward the same cause. Short chapters include personal examples, such as observations of plastic pollution in Mauritius, her maternal grandparents’ birthplace. Testa makes her case not only against plastic pollution, but also for the work she’s done, resulting in something of a college-admissions–essay tone. Nevertheless, the first-person accounts paired with science will have an impact on readers. Unfortunately, no sources are cited and the lack of backmatter is a missed opportunity.
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change. (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-22333-8
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
bookshelf
