Recycling: Reducing Waste by Buffy Silverman

Recycling: Reducing Waste. by Buffy Silverman. Heinemann Library, 2008. 46 pages.

Review/Personal thoughts:  This book is part of a Do It Yourself Series.  It is specifically targeting tween readers interested in the environment, the green movement and helping the Earth.  The book is very attractive in its layout. There are photographs and illustrations on every page. The first chapters deal with trash - What is it?, Where does it go? What is its impact on the environment?  The main focus of the book is on recycling.   The connection between recycling and reducing trash in landfills is explained.  One complete chapter is devoted to recycling paper. The incredible volume of paper that consumers use and the process for making new paper from recycled paper is explained.  Other processes include; plastic, computers, cell phones, batteries and food and yard waste recycling. There are several excellent activities that give readers hands on experiences like simulating a landfill to monitor how different products decompose and making your own paper from recycled paper.  Throughout the text,  words that appear in a bold font are described in a glossary.  There are excellent resources listed including books, websites and organizations that students can pursue. This is a great book on the subject of recycling and is so complete it could serve as a  handbook for a school recycling club.  Well-written, excellent graphics and useful information make this book easy to recommend.

Genre: Non-Fiction

Reading Level: 7.1 Interest level: Ages 8 to 11.

Earth by Elaine Landau

Earth. by Elaine Landau. Children's Press, 2008. 48 pages.

Review/Personal thoughts:  This book is packed with information about planet Earth and would serve as a great resource for tween research.  Reader’s attention is captured immediately with satellite images of our planet where 6.6 billion people live. Using the photographs taken from space, the predominately blue hue of the earth is attributed to the majority (70%) of its surface being covered by water, but did you know that only 3% of the Earth’s water is fresh water?  Not only does the book focus on the Earth’s makeup, it also describes its place in the solar system.  Do you know how fast the Earth travels in its orbit around the sun?  The answer is 66,700 miles per hour!  Gravity, astronomy, asteroids and other planets are described.  It is life, in all of its forms, that sets the Earth apart as unique among the other planets. And it is water that is the requirement for all life on Earth - plants, animals and other living things.

The “centerfold” of the book is about global warming - what it is, what causes it, an what we can do to fight it.  Some of the suggestions include driving less, using less energy, planting trees and recycling.

The full color illustrations are very appealing. Earth’s three layers; the crust, mantle and core (which can reach temperatures of 11,000 degrees F.) are clearly displayed. Interesting features of the Earth are revealed like Crater Lake which formed 7,700 years ago when water filled a collapsed volcano and Meteor Crater formed 50,000 years ago when a meteorite crashed into the Earth!  There is a chapter dedicated to the moon.  There are cool statistics and great resources.  An excellent resource for tweens.

Genre: Non-Fiction

Reading Level: 4.2 Interest level: Ages 8 to 11.

What If We Do Nothing? Endangered Species by Sean Sheehan

Endangered Species. by Sean Sheehan. G. Stevens, 2009. 48 pages.

Review/Personal thoughts:  This book is part of a “What if We Do Nothing?” series. It is an excellent resource for tweens interested in the environment, focusing specifically on the impact of humans on life forms. Interspersed throughout the chapters are critical thinking activities that are all titled “What Would You Do?”  Readers are challenged to find solutions for situations like a mining company that wants to build a dam on an African river, being a member of a group that regulates whaling and dealing with animal injuries and attacks in a National Park.  One chapter is dedicated to Earth’s rain forests and the vital role they play in absorbing carbon dioxide and heat out of the atmosphere.The plants and animals of rain forests are being destroyed for agriculture and cattle at the rate of two football fields every second!  African wildlife is under threat from illegal hunters who sometimes pose as tourists and and then slaughter rare and endangered animals to sell their body parts on the black market.  The oceans, which are also vital to life on Earth, are being overfished to satisfy the palates of humans. Sharks, rays, dolphins, turtles and sea birds are being inadvertently killed by fishermen at the alarming rate of 27 million tons a year! North American wildlife are struggling with the impact of acids, lead, pesticides solvents and diesel fuel on their habitats.  One great success story is that of the California condor which in 1989 had only 25 birds alive.  Through conservation and breeding efforts there are now more than 300. Excellent photographs and graphics, a glossary and a resource guide all enhance this great nonfiction book for tweens.

Genre: Non-Fiction

Reading Level: 8.4 Interest level: Ages 10 to 13.

True Green Kids - 100 things you can do to save the planet by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin

True Green Kids: 100 things you can do to save the planet. by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin. National Geographic, 2008. 143 pages.

Review/Personal thoughts:  If any tween felt inclined to start an Environmental/Save the Earth Club, this is the book to get them started.  This book is published by the highly respected and credible National Geographic Society.  The layout/graphics/photography of the book is exceptional and inviting. The introduction does an outstanding job of informing the young reader about the conditions on planet Earth and motivate them to take an active role in ways to preserve and protect our habitat. The author does a great job of informing the reader that each individual in many small ways can have a very positive impact on the environment. Consider this fact - Enough sunlight falls on the Earth’s surface every hour to meet the world’s energy demands for an entire year! Kids are encouraged to use a solar battery charger to power their iPods, laptops and cell phones. Save water, turn out lights, use an extra blanket, recycle; all ways to help save the earth. There is a great section on pets. I consider myself knowledgeable about environmental issues,  but I never thought  as this book points out about the pet waste that is placed in plastic bags and sent to landfills. There are actually ways pet waste can be converted to useable methane gas and serve as compost and for worm farming.  There are ideas for kids to use at home, at school, in nature, at school and with friends.  Ideas for how to shop “green” and a really cool section on “fun things to make” are here too.  The true green facts section is rich with information.  I highly recommend this book for tweens. It is enlightening and informative.

Genre: Non-Fiction

Reading Level: 6.4 Interest level: Ages 10 to 13.