Climate Change: Need to Know

The Climate Change: Need to Know series explains how and why Earth’s climate is changing through thought-provoking text, informative fact boxes, and striking visuals. Each title covers a specific effect of glob warming and contains essential information to save our planet. Animal and Plant Extinction reveals how climate change has more than doubled thenumber of animals at risk of extinction in the last 15 years. The book also gives specific examples of why certain animals are in danger. Disappearing Ice Sheets shows how ice sheets are melting faster because of climate change caused by the greenhouse effect. Climate changes such as warmer temperatures, droughts, and hurricanes are described in Extreme Weather. In The Greenhouse Effect, readers will learn what is causing Earth’s temperature to increase, and that the temperature is expected to rise two degrees more within the next 25 years. Each title includes helpful tips on what people can do to slow climate change on Earth, such as using solar and wind power, riding bikes, conserving electricity, and reducing fossil fuel usage. This series creates a much-needed deeper understanding of climate change and how it is rapidly affecting our planet, as well as how simple changes can make a huge difference.

—Alana Jara

This series describes a wide range of historical topics and events, like decolonization, the Industrial Revolution, and war. Paragraphs are paired with color photos or art from history, with vocabulary words bolded throughout. Lengthier paragraphs with short sentences are written at a second grade level, and fact boxes and picture ­captions offer information in addition to the main text.

Infographics are also used to give a better understanding of a subject, like how more factories meant more people worked in factories, which made the Revolution move faster (The Industrial Revolution). The series is extremely timely, working to inform the reader without romanticizing the past and providing clarity for the ­present day, “The effects of colonialism are still felt today. Many countries still have strong ties to their former colonizers,” (Decolonization). Back matter includes learning and ­retention tips, a ­glossary and index, and additional resources. Younger readers may need guidance from an educator or ­caregiver.

VERDICT: A series that covers a variety of historical topics for older elementary readers.

Clearly organized text, fact boxes, and colorful images with informative captions support young readers in understanding a variety of aspects of climate change in this series. Although paragraphs look longer, they are written at a second grade reading level, and the font was chosen with readability in mind. Infographic maps break down how the climate has changed over time.

The text uses past and present examples for readers to connect how long climate change has been happening: “The average temperature on Earth has gone up about 2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880,” (The Greenhouse ­Effect,). The back matter includes learning and retention tips, a glossary and an index, and additional resources. While this topic can be overwhelming, each title has a section about action readers can take to slow climate change.

VERDICT: Extremely timely series for young readers.