(2) K-3 Illustrated by Alex Boersma. Levy and Boersma's gentle and accessible introduction to climate change centers on carbon and its ubiquitous presence in Earth's living and nonliving systems. Brief definitions of key chemistry terms and concepts precede the title page, and statements in the first few pages lay out the crisis we face with global warming: "After hundreds of years and billions of people burning fuels, there's too much carbon in the air!" The remainder of the book is hopeful, showing how kelp forests, mangroves, and even dirt can "soak up" the excess carbon. Boersma's illustrations represent carbon as delicate white dots swirling in the air over sunny city scenes and landscapes or crowded into the clouds of darker emissions from power plants. The book ends with a call to action: "For the Earth to keep helping us, we must help the Earth." The meaningful solutions presented include alternative energies, public transportation, and scientific innovation. Additional information about global warming and things readers can do to help are included in the back matter.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(2) YA In 2015, lawyer Julia Olson filed Juliana v. United States on behalf of twenty-one young plaintiffs from across the country, all of whom were affected in some way by climate change (e.g., health effects, threats to their homes). The suit alleged that the government was violating their constitutional rights by promoting the fossil fuel system that was wreaking havoc on their lives, and that the government had known about these dangers for decades. The still-pending case wound its way through the legal system with dramatic twists and turns; most recently (as of this writing), a judge ruled that the plaintiffs could amend their complaint and go to trial. Rusch does a marvelous job of weaving together multiple strands into a compelling and timely narrative: an inspiring and empowering story of youth activism, a primer on the role of the judicial branch in our democracy, and a cautionary tale about the mounting dangers of climate change. It's no small task to distinguish the twenty-one young people, but Rusch liberally quotes them throughout the book, and an annotated list of characters at the beginning is paired with an update at the end (there are also sixteen pages of black-and-white photographs gathered in the middle). Additional scientific information, websites, a timeline, source notes, a glossary, and an index are also appended.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(3) 4-6 Inside Technology series. Common, now-current technologies are competently described for general audiences, focusing on the hardware and software for each device, its personal and commercial uses, as well as related technologies such as cellular networks and artificial intelligence. Historical and future developments are also considered. "Straight to the Source" and "Stop and Think" features provide opportunities to practice standards-based literacy skills. There are four other spring 2019 titles in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inside Technology titles: Inside Drones, Inside Electric Cars, Inside Smartphones, and Inside 3D Printers.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Raintree Perspectives: Rock On! series. Basic, coherently organized questions about fossils are answered in detail, covering the processes by which living things are fossilized, where they are found, major types (including dinosaurs and fossil fuels), and the features that paleontologists note to explain ancient life. Color photographs, helpful diagrams, boxes of additional "Rock Solid Facts!", and a classic fossil-making activity are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Can We Do about Pollution? series. Though standard (and somewhat choppy) in describing the types of pollution or waste in each category and the problems they create, these texts may extend kids' outlooks and interest in the subjects. Illustrated with appropriate color photos and infographics, the books conclude with ways in which adults and kids can help, including writing to their representatives in government. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Can We Do About Pollution titles: Transportation Pollution, Nuclear Pollution, Agricultural Pollution, Manufacturing Pollution, Household Waste, and Fossil Fuel Pollution.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Endangered Earth series. These volumes point to the role humans have played in endangering Earth's resources. The information is presented in four chapters; each book's final chapter focuses on what government and individuals can do now before it's too late. The choppy texts are accessible and supported by photos, diagrams, and related fact boxes. Common Core–related questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Endangered Earth titles: Endangered Energy and Endangered Rivers.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Molly Bang. Bang and Chisholm explain the production and consumption of fossil fuels, along with the consequences of all that energy use: climate change. The sun serves as narrator describing the relationship between photosynthesis (plants) and respiration (animals) and energy; a slight imbalance produces fossil fuels. Bang's illustrations brilliantly represent the chemistry: bright yellow dots of energy against a deep-blue background hover over their producers.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2014

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Are Energy Sources? series. The six titles in this series give basic information about each energy source, including the technology of how the energy is harnessed and the pros and cons of each source. Doeden's writing is choppy as he explains complex concepts in simple terms (with some generalizations); stock photos, captions, and diagrams help illuminate the concepts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Book: What Are Energy Sources? titles: Finding Out About Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas, Finding Out About Geothermal Energy, Finding Out About Hydropower, Finding Out About Nuclear Energy, Finding Out About Solar Energy, and Finding Out About Wind Energy.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Our Green Earth series. Each of these five books focuses on a different environmental problem and the changes we can make to help. Topics covered include recycling, solar and wind power, deforestation, protecting endangered animals, and making everyday green choices. The books are cluttered, but readers will enjoy the close-up photographs, activities, and interviews with people in environment-related jobs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our Green Earth titles: Friends in the Wild, Getting from Here to There, Healthy Trees, Healthy Planet, Power for the Plant, and Reducing Waste.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) YA Innovative Technologies series. These dense books describe energy sources and technologies that can serve to reduce or eliminate our use of fossil fuels. Each account includes a brief history of the field, the underlying science, technologies under development and the policies that regulate them, and the challenges faced in making these technologies economically and scientifically feasible. High-quality, well-chosen photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Innovative Technologies titles: Hyrbid and Electric Vehicles, Methane Energy, Biomass Energy, and Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(4) YA Innovative Technologies series. These dense books describe energy sources and technologies that can serve to reduce or eliminate our use of fossil fuels. Each account includes a brief history of the field, the underlying science, technologies under development and the policies that regulate them, and the challenges faced in making these technologies economically and scientifically feasible. High-quality, well-chosen photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Innovative Technologies titles: Hyrbid and Electric Vehicles, Methane Energy, Biomass Energy, and Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(4) YA Innovative Technologies series. These dense books describe energy sources and technologies that can serve to reduce or eliminate our use of fossil fuels. Each account includes a brief history of the field, the underlying science, technologies under development and the policies that regulate them, and the challenges faced in making these technologies economically and scientifically feasible. High-quality, well-chosen photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Innovative Technologies titles: Hyrbid and Electric Vehicles, Methane Energy, Biomass Energy, and Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(4) YA Innovative Technologies series. These dense books describe energy sources and technologies that can serve to reduce or eliminate our use of fossil fuels. Each account includes a brief history of the field, the underlying science, technologies under development and the policies that regulate them, and the challenges faced in making these technologies economically and scientifically feasible. High-quality, well-chosen photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Innovative Technologies titles: Hyrbid and Electric Vehicles, Methane Energy, Biomass Energy, and Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(3) 4-6 Orca Footprints series. Divided into four chapters, this book covers topics such as the drawbacks of fossil fuels; renewable energy sources (e.g., wind and solar); and newer ideas for fuel, including algae, fungus, and human waste. Plenty of well-captioned photos, from a Dutch windmill to a dog-poop "digester" that powers lights at an urban park, illustrate the accessible text. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(2) YA Opening with a geology primer on the formation of oil and a brief overview of oil in ancient times, the narrative is most successful in describing the cycle of greed, wealth, politics, and war that drove modern civilization throughout the twentieth century and into the present. Marrin offers challenging insights and difficult questions that eschew simplistic explanations. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2012

(3) 4-6 Landau provides a blow-by-blow report of the 2010 environmental crisis in the Gulf of Mexico, from the initial explosion on the BP Deepwater Horizon Rig, through the multiple attempts to stop the flow, to the subsequent cleanup and suggestions for preventing future spills. Color photographs and technical diagrams show the effects of the spill and the fix and cleanup efforts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Environment Challenge series. This leveled-text edition examines the sources and uses of energy from a global perspective to underscore the differences in energy consumption and conservation across various regions. Langley emphasizes sustainability, including case studies of energy disasters (mine collapses, oil spills) as well as alternative energy and sustainability successes. Color photographs, diagrams, and text asides further encourage readers to examine the issues. Reading/movie list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Environment Challenge series. The sources and uses of energy are examined from a global perspective to underscore the differences in energy consumption and conservation across various regions. Langley emphasizes sustainability, including case studies of energy disasters (mine collapses, oil spills) as well as alternative energy and sustainability successes. Color photographs, diagrams, and text asides further encourage readers to examine the issues. Reading/movie list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA In Controversy series. Topical issues are framed as debates, with chapter headings posed as provocative questions to drive reader interest. The books provide superficial coverage of various scientific and legal concepts interspersed with popular opinions and anecdotes; Climate Change in particular overstates the opposition to maintain its consider-all-sides format. The texts are complemented by photos, sidebars, and a fact summary following each chapter. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these In Controversy titles: How Serious a Threat Is Climate Change? and Is Offshore Oil Drilling Worth the Risks?.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Orca Currents series. Though Liza's mother is environmentally conscious, her new boyfriend (dubbed "Slick" by skeptical Liza) works for an oil company that's wreaking havoc on Guatemala--an injustice that enrages the young teen and inspires her to take action. Liza's determination and activism set a powerful example. The story is sometimes didactic, but the topic is relevant and will engage young socially aware readers.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen