Our Earth

June 1, 2011

Gr 4-6-If there is to be any hope of saving what is left of the Earth's natural beauty and resources, it will be as a result of the next generation's awareness and activism. In the profiles included here, young people from around the globe have seen a problem and worked to bring about a solution. From creating overhead migrating routes for monkeys in Costa Rica to cleaning beaches and planting billions of trees, they have shown the way through both idealistic and concrete actions. Each spread includes a painted portrait, a photograph, and a quote from the featured individual as well as a short description of the environmental problem tackled. These youngsters have had some remarkable successes, but some follow-up to their stories would have provided interest as to the final result of their efforts. Many of them would now be adults, and readers may wonder what they have made of their lives and if their commitment to environmental activism has been sustained. Readers may also want to know how the families, teachers, and mentors of these young activists aided their efforts. The stories included here may be inspirational to young readers and could be used as a basis for class discussion and class action.-Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2011
Grades 2-5 Packed with inspiring, true-life stories on every spread, this collective biography introduces contemporary kids around the world who have made remarkable efforts to help protect the earth. The childrens accomplishments reflect diverse environmental concerns: 12-year-old Canadian Severn delivered a passionate speech about rain-forest preservation to world leaders in Rio de Janeiro; 14-year-old William built a windmill from discarded scraps and brought power to his Malawi village for the first time; Sam, a 15-year-old Californian, started a farming program that supplies school cafeterias and needy families with fresh produce; and 13-year-old Kruti has become Indias youngest professional magician in shows that make environmental education accessible to a national audience. The spreads combine both paintings and photos of the young activists with brief, lively descriptions of their environmental work, including web links when available so that readers can learn more. Each story demonstrates the power of young individuals to create real and lasting change, and their calls to action, along with frequent how you can help suggestions, will motivate young and old alike.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2011
This book profiles kids who have created organizations dedicated to helping the environment, such as twelve-year-old Adeline, working to save coral reefs in Indonesia. Though the author's description of the children as "Rainbow Warriors" and her saccharine art threaten to derail the project into "We Are the World" sappiness, the stories and photos of the young activists are truly inspiring.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)