(3) K-3 Kingfisher Readers series. In two-page chapters, the book introduces foundational environmental concepts, including animal species, ecosystems, climate, and fossil fuels, then seamlessly unites these concepts in discussions of environmental threats and possible resolutions. Complex connections (e.g., the relationship between global warming, habitat loss, and endangered species) are illuminated. Captions lend substance to bright stock photos; simple maps and diagrams offer additional points of engagement. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(2) YA In this original fantasy, eleventh-grade budding composer Siobhan McQuaid is asked to be bard to teen dragon-slayer-in-training Owen. Johnston has great fun reimagining history in a dragon-filled world. Modern references live comfortably next to those from Viking sagas, often to comic effect. And the final confrontation, due to Siobhan's wry, heroic narration, is nothing short of epic.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(3) 4-6 Orphaned twelve-year-old Devin is invited to live at the paradisaical Home for Childhood, but something terrifying is happening to the children there. Devin's synesthesia, which makes him interesting to the Home's sinister Administrator, may provide the key to their escape. Set in a world of post–climate change desperation, Unsworth's story thoughtfully explores the theme of adults' nostalgia for childhood.

Reviewer: Amy Bennett-Zendzian

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Stephanie Yue. When a plot to expose the mouse world threatens Operation Cool It, the plan to reverse climate change hatched in Mousenet, Megan and Uncle Fred take the whole colony on a wild road trip to save their efforts. The premise remains overblown, but this sequel's plot moves along at a quick clip and endearing new characters are introduced. Soft black-and-white illustrations add to the whimsy.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(2) 4-6 Set in the Yukon Territory, Hobbs's latest turbocharged wilderness survival story has savage river waters, treacherous trails, and, as chief antagonist, a "grolar bear." The polar bear–grizzly hybrid attacks our hero Nick in the first chapter and returns in the last for a spectacular confrontation. Hobbs doesn't resist information-packing, but he's brisk about it and knows how to get out of the...LOOK OUT!

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2013

(4) 4-6 Adapted by Dan Oliverio. Translated by Dan Oliverio. Illustrated by Ana Miralles. Polar bear cub Waluk is abandoned by his mother and befriended by the legendary Manitok. The elderly adult male takes Waluk under his wing, teaching the precocious cub survival and hunting skills. When Manitok is captured by humans, young Waluk must rescue his mentor. The heavy-handed message about global warming and an abrupt ending mar this visually stimulating graphic novel. Websites.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jamie Hogan. Arnold explains the effects of climate change on animals and other life. Most, like marmots and coral, have gone extinct or are threatened, while a few (e.g., Arctic foxes) have benefited from the effects of rising temperatures on their habitats. Somewhat busy mixed-media layouts that centerpiece charcoal and pastel illustrations only slightly detract from the excellent information. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Disasters--People in Peril series. Storm looks at why severe weather occurs and its effects on the environment. Fiery recounts the 1980 volcanic eruption and the resulting damage. Waves focuses on the 1946 Hawaiian tsunami and the 2011 disaster in Japan. Illustrated with effective stock photos, these books relate their stories in informative if formulaic narratives. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Disasters--People in Peril titles: Deadly Storm Alert!, Deadly Waves, and Fiery Volcano.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Eighteen-year-old Crown Princess Waterlily (Forgive My Fins; Fins Are Forever) advises the ocean's kingdoms to work peacefully to fix the merworld's troubled ecosystem. But some rulers would rather wage war--on humans and each other; the half-human, half-mermaid must convince them otherwise before it's too late. Childs's evocative mer-language creates a richly detailed world, but a repetitious plot bogs down the narrative.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 4-6 Go Green series. These books examine how human activities--travel, shopping, watching TV--consume fossil fuels and contribute to climate change. Lanz challenges readers to adopt sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprints: walking or biking; reducing consumption of goods, energy, and water; and eating locally grown foods. Color photographs of energy use and conservation accompany the texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Go Green titles: Having the Energy, How Shall We Travel?, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Shopping Choices, What Shall We Eat?, and Wonderful Water.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Go Green series. These books examine how human activities--travel, shopping, watching TV--consume fossil fuels and contribute to climate change. Lanz challenges readers to adopt sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprints: walking or biking; reducing consumption of goods, energy, and water; and eating locally grown foods. Color photographs of energy use and conservation accompany the texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Go Green titles: Having the Energy, How Shall We Travel?, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Shopping Choices, What Shall We Eat?, and Wonderful Water.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Go Green series. These books examine how human activities--travel, shopping, watching TV--consume fossil fuels and contribute to climate change. Lanz challenges readers to adopt sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprints: walking or biking; reducing consumption of goods, energy, and water; and eating locally grown foods. Color photographs of energy use and conservation accompany the texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Go Green titles: Having the Energy, How Shall We Travel?, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Shopping Choices, What Shall We Eat?, and Wonderful Water.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Go Green series. These books examine how human activities--travel, shopping, watching TV--consume fossil fuels and contribute to climate change. Lanz challenges readers to adopt sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprints: walking or biking; reducing consumption of goods, energy, and water; and eating locally grown foods. Color photographs of energy use and conservation accompany the texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Go Green titles: Having the Energy, How Shall We Travel?, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Shopping Choices, What Shall We Eat?, and Wonderful Water.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Go Green series. These books examine how human activities--travel, shopping, watching TV--consume fossil fuels and contribute to climate change. Lanz challenges readers to adopt sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprints: walking or biking; reducing consumption of goods, energy, and water; and eating locally grown foods. Color photographs of energy use and conservation accompany the texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Go Green titles: Having the Energy, How Shall We Travel?, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Shopping Choices, What Shall We Eat?, and Wonderful Water.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(2) 4-6 Scientists in the Field series. Lourie takes us to Alaska to observe biologists researching a subpopulation of polar bears, then to the lab to see the care taken to properly process and store the data. Interspersed are commentaries from the project directors, who analyze the data and publicize the results. Crisp photographs convey the massive size of the animals and the details of the equipment needed to do research in such extreme conditions. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2012

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alan Marks. Based on the true story of an orphaned polar bear, Markle's text explores the challenges a young female faces competing for food while waiting for the pack ice to arrive that will enable her to leave Wrangel Island for the winter. Marks's art, washed with blues and purples, conveys much about the harsh world of these animals. A note about global warming is appended. Reading list.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) YA Mapping Global Issues series. Each of these books discusses a potential threat to our planet and its inhabitants. The straightforward content provides basic information, relevant examples, and possible solutions to problems. Warming attempts to deal with the controversy surrounding the issue. Maps, photographs, and sidebars clarify and add interest to the text, but the dull layout is off-putting. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mapping Global Issues titles: Global Warming, Endangered Species, and Rain Forest Destruction.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 When snow children Yuta and Yuna meet various animals suffering because of climate change, they voice their concerns to snow people who've gathered for a meeting. The story serves only as a didactic (and uninformative) introduction to global warming, but wintry watercolors showing pudgy snow people are appealing. Simple tips for reducing energy are provided inside the back cover.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Stephanie Yue. Ten-year-old Megan's inventor uncle gives her "the Thumbtop," a tiny mouse-size computer, before she moves to live with her estranged father. Actual mice take notice of the device and, after establishing contact with Megan, propose a deal: give every mouse a Thumbtop, and they will save the world from climate change. The warmly drawn characters help ground an imaginative if overblown premise.

Reviewer: Brittany Schlorff

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Beverley Young. Facts about weather including precipitation, wind, hurricanes, and climate are conveyed over nine double-page spreads. Each layout contains interactive pop-ups, pull tabs, and flaps along with text boxes and spot illustrations. It's an engaging (if busy) presentation, but the information is uneven; for example, some complex terminology is included without sufficient explanation about its relation to meteorological concepts.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford