Starred Review for Publishers Weekly

Meant to be like a youth version of Braasch’s <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Earth Under Fire: How Global Warming Is Changing the World, this beautifully photographed global guide offers a look at how research in diverse fields leads to an understanding of the warming climate—and what children and adults are doing about it. The first and largest of the book’s four sections, “Where We Find Clues About Climate Change,” presents researchers, citizen scientists and schoolchildren examining the natural world and unearthing data about climate. Spreads jump from topic to topic, from rainforests to tree rings, oceanic mud samples to 800,000-year-old ice cores. The empowering “What Scientists and You Can Do” section provides practical, proactive suggestions, e.g., eating less meat, drinking tap instead of bottled water. While heavy on the jargon, Cherry (<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">The Great Kapok Tree) immediately and clearly defines all science terms. The book would be overwhelming to read in one sitting; kids and educators will find this timely information is best served up via its bite-sized chapters. Readers young and old looking to make a difference will appreciate the book’s hopeful tone as well as its comprehensive resource lists. Ages 10-14. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Mar.)

School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 4-8 Cherry and Braasch introduce readers to scientists around the world whose research contributes to an understanding of the causes and consequences of global warming. They also describe the work of citizen scientists, including children, whose observations contribute to knowledge about important changes that are occurring. Studies range from documenting bloom dates of trees and flowers to extracting mud cores from the ocean floor. Small color photographs show the fieldwork and experiments of scientists and students. Even though many findings indicate a grim outlook for plant and animal life, including humans, if the current trends continue, the authors consistently note ways in which students can have a positive impact by making personal choices and influencing public policy. A concluding spread identifies the more than 40 scientists mentioned in the text. The book's wide-ranging exploration of scientific studies and the encouragement to people of every age to become citizen scientists and active participants for change make this a valuable purchase. Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

ALA Booklist

Veteran science writer Cherry and award-winning photographer Braasch team up to make climate change less frightening by showing children how to empower themselves as "citizen scientists." Cherry begins with a no-nonsense chapter about hypotheses and theories, facts versus belief. She goes on to explain how observation can help bring about climate-change strategies; the information about children involved with Project Budburst is particulary interesting. Along the way, there are examples of how nature is changing om migrations to melting icecaps to rising coastlines d how these changes have been observed. The second section, "Fitting the Clues Together," considers what scientists do with their information and notes successes that have been achieved (for example, species saved and reduction of carbon footprints) and ways kids can help reduce energy. The can-do emphasis helps to make the topic less depressing, and the intriguing color photographs are thoughtful and upbeat. Many scientists were called upon during the writing of this book, and it shows.

Horn Book

Double-page spreads feature many research projects revealing changes in ecosystems, driving home the message that change really is occurring at an accelerated rate. Illustrations include sharp photographs of researchers and children in the field and laboratories as well as age-appropriate graphs and tables that transform observations into evidence. A strong underlying message is that committed readers can make a difference. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Kirkus Reviews

This clear, detailed explanation demonstrates that we know about climate change through research by scientists and students at home and in the field—patient observation and investigations that lead to information about Earth's climate history. Environmentalist Cherry collaborates with photojournalist Braasch to distill the information in the latter's adult Earth under Fire (2007), adding examples of young people whose participation in citizen science projects through their schools supports the ongoing work of documenting these changes. The topically organized text is informative and accessible, explicit in its message, positive in tone and particularly useful in its broad array of examples and suggestions for student involvement in both inquiry and solutions. Numerous small photographs show children and adults around the world, a wide range of affected wildlife and effects of climate change on the landscape. A lengthy "Resources" section includes both books and a variety of information and action sources with Internet addresses. The scientists whose work is described are listed in a separate index, identified by position. A must for school libraries, and science teachers may want copies of their own. (index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

Voice of Youth Advocates

Given youth preference for online sources, buying an ecology book can be a difficult decision; nevertheless this resource merits the cost and shelf space. Its historical perspective and reputations of its author and illustrator will extend its shelf life. It distills and repurposes photojournalist BraaschÆs Earth Under Fire (University of California Press, 2007), including some of its remarkable before-and-after photographs of places devastated by global warming. In this version for younger readers, he teams with a wellknown author and illustrator of childrenÆs books to produce a reader- and classroomfriendly book. Organized in four sections, the book first lays out the evidence for global warming in two-page verbal and visual snapshots of a single topicùwhether birds, butterflies, tree rings, or ice cores. Subsequent sections synthesize the evidence, describe things students can do to become involved, and provide well-organized lists of additional resources that seem likely to have a respectable shelf life as well. Although CherryÆs writing is not as engaging as in other works, she capably introduces and explains scientific vocabulary within the text. The two-page format is well suited for browsing or a quick introduction to its various topics. Adolescents might not appreciate the ôkidsö in the subtitle, but the illustrations will appeal a variety of age levels. A fifty-six-page TeacherÆs Guide with hands-on activities and additional resources is also available.ùDonna L. Phillips.