An accessible work that’s rich in both helpful tips and possibilities.
A wide-angled survey of green careers.
In this concise work that’s divided into five main sections, Howard begins by filling in some historical background about the modern environmental movement, including the impact of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and George Washington Carver’s influence on agricultural conservation (she also frankly notes that in terms of both race and gender, environmental science fields are still some of the least diverse). Taking as her purview a range of career fields broad enough to involve “most skill sets and interests,” she offers a mix of typical job descriptions with average salary ranges and canny advice, beginning with self-analysis of one’s strengths and interests. She also covers suggested coursework, military and civilian training programs, and higher education requirements. The careers include some that readers may already have considered, such as park ranger, but so many scientific and industrial occupations have environmental aspects—from public health and civil engineering to wind turbine maintenance—that they will learn about many others that are sure to be new. In Chapter 5, “The Future,” Howard discusses the impact of climate change, growth in clean energy, and AI on environmentally related careers. The book’s bright design and conversational tone add to its appeal. The stock photos include images of racially diverse people.
An accessible work that’s rich in both helpful tips and possibilities. (glossary, source notes, bibliography, further information, index, image credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2025
ISBN: 9798765684887
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Twenty-First Century/Lerner
Review Posted Online: May 30, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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