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WE ARE ALL GRETA

Name: WE ARE ALL GRETA
Author: Valentina Giannella
ISBN: 978-1-78627-614-8

BE INSPIRED TO SAVE THE WORLD

by Valentina Giannella ; illustrated by Manuela Marazzi ; translated by JMS Books llp ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 24, 2019

An excellent starting point for research on the climate crisis; make this available to young readers everywhere.

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This handbook, translated from the Italian, uses teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg as a point of entry to the larger topic of climate change.

In 18 information-dense chapters, the book addresses a range of topics, beginning with Thunberg’s childhood and the role of Asperger’s syndrome and selective mutism in the development of her activism. Early chapters tell of her first school strike for climate, her first TED Talk, and the global strike these events inspired. Other chapters detail in clear language the solid, persuasive science behind climate change, including the greenhouse effect and the difference even half a degree of warming can make. Chapters on resilience, clean renewable energy, fossil fuels, waste and recycling, a planet-friendly diet, and more give enough detail to inform and inspire readers to take action. While the text is tightly packed and the writing is laden with facts, the chapters are short enough to skim and browse—fortunately, since there is no index. The bold blue-and-yellow themed illustrations are visually stimulating. While the scope is global, the only other young climate activists mentioned are William Kamkwamba and Scott Munguía. Although the writing style is somewhat dry and may not entice readers not already interested in this topic, the picture that emerges is appropriately urgent and action oriented.

An excellent starting point for research on the climate crisis; make this available to young readers everywhere. (glossary, websites, bibliography, references) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

Pub Date: Sept. 24, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-78627-614-8

Page Count: 128

Publisher: Laurence King

Review Posted Online: Oct. 7, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

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I WANT TO BE AN ENVIRONMENTALIST

by Stephanie Maze ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2000

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This glossy, colorful title in the “I Want To Be” series has visual appeal but poor organization and a fuzzy focus, which limits its usefulness. Each double-paged layout introduces a new topic with six to eight full-color photographs and a single column of text. Topics include types of environmentalists, eco-issues, waste renewal, education, High School of Environmental Studies, environmental vocabulary, history of environmentalism, famous environmentalists, and the return of the eagle. Often the photographs have little to do with the text or are marginal to the topic. For example, a typical layout called “Some Alternative Solutions” has five snapshots superimposed on a double-page photograph of a California wind farm. The text discusses ways to develop alternative forms of energy and “encourage environmentally friendly lifestyles.” Photos include “a healer who treats a patient with alternative therapy using sound and massage,” and “the Castle,” a house built of “used tires and aluminum cans.” Elsewhere, “Did You Know . . . ” shows a dramatic photo of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, but the text provides odd facts such as “ . . . that in Saudi Arabia there are solar-powered pay phones in the desert?” Some sections seem stuck in, a two-page piece on the effects of “El Niño” or 50 postage-stamp–sized photos of endangered species. The author concludes with places to write for more information and a list of photo credits. Pretty, but little here to warrant purchase. (Nonfiction. 9-11)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2000

ISBN: 0-15-201862-X

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2000

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

- BOOK REVIEW
HEALTHY FOODS FROM A TO Z / COMIDA SANA DEL LA A AL LA Z
edited by Stephanie Maze & photographed by Renée Comet

- BOOK REVIEW
TENDER MOMENTS IN THE WILD
edited by Stephanie Maze

- BOOK REVIEW
AMUSING MOMENTS IN THE WILD
edited by Stephanie Maze

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BLIZZARD!

THE STORM THAT CHANGED AMERICA

by Jim Murphy ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 2000

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In the same format as his Newbery Honor title The Great Fire (1995), Murphy brings the blizzard of 1888 to life. He shows how military weather-monitoring practices, housing and employment conditions, and politics regarding waste management, transportation monopolies, and utilities regulation, all contributed to—and were subsequently affected by—the disaster. He does so through an appealing narrative, making use of first-hand accounts whose sources he describes in his notes at the end (though, disappointingly he cites nothing directly in the text). The wealth of quotable material made available through the letters of members of “the Society of Blizzard Men and Blizzard Ladies” and other sources help to make the story vivid. Many drawings and photographs (some of the blizzard, but most of related scenes) illustrate the text. These large reproductions are all in a sepia-tone that matches the color of the typeface—an effect that feels over-the-top, but doesn’t detract significantly from the power of the story. Murphy’s ability to pull in details that lend context allows him to tell this story of a place in time through the lens of a single, dramatic episode that will engage readers. This is skillfully done: humorous, jaw-dropping, thought-provoking, and chilling. (index) (Nonfiction. 9-14)