Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

A wake-up call about the environmental crisis, the book homes in on five "key fronts"--population, consumption, energy, food, and climate--and explores historical and sociological contexts. Fleischman writes urgently, conversationally, and inspirationally, in a flow of ideas that can be dizzying. Yet none of the concepts is dumbed-down. A refreshingly opinionated approach to informed action. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Voice of Youth Advocates

Fleischman's transdisciplinary approach is informed by science, economics, history, sociology, and media studies. The compelling format includes numerous short chapters with sidebars, illustrations, and source notes. Every page offers interesting visual design as well as quality content. An inevitable limitation of this method is that the book substitutes breadth for depth, yet Fleischmann's engaging book will launch readers into further inquiry. Despite a few pro/con discussions covering different perspectives on topics such as fracking, Eyes Wide Open emphasizes research-based findings in environmental science. This unique and up-to-the-minute book builds understanding about how we have reached the current moment in history.Particularly compelling chapters include "Chindia: Why Your Future Is Tied to China and India," "Denial: Problem? What Problem?" and "Fixes: What Works, What Doesn't." A closing essay about "How to Weigh Information" explains differentiating among sources and checking for fallacies. Another useful feature is the glossary, containing ninety-four key terms such as cap and trade, geoengineering, greenwashing, race to the bottom, and tragedy of the commons. Readers who appreciated the community garden focus of Fleischman's novel Seedfolks (HarperCollins, 1997/VOYA June 1997) must read Eyes Wide Open: Going Behind the Environmental Headlines, which may become the author's most influential book.Amy Cummins.

Starred Review ALA Booklist (Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Starred Review This remarkable book offers young people the tools they need to become informed, responsible global citizens. While it opens with a tale of Fleischman finding dead bees in his driveway, the discussion quickly broadens to consider the application of critical thinking skills to environmental issues. Rather than advising readers to take specific actions, Fleischman tells them how to evaluate information on topics such as climate change and encourages them to take action by charting a course that seems reasonable. He also discusses techniques to sway public opinion, such as sowing doubt, discrediting scientific studies, and hiding corporate funding of organizations promoting, for example, fossil fuels. The cascade of facts, observations, informed commentary, and sage advice may occasionally overwhelm. On the whole, though, thoughtful readers will appreciate this insightful, refreshing title's broad scope, use of specific examples, and the many references to related books, documentaries, and online articles, lectures, and interviews. The appended How to Weigh Information section is particularly excellent. A Newbery Medal winning writer, Fleischman notes that he is no trained scientist, but his exceptional ability to organize the information here and present it articulately makes him a notable citizen scientist.