Children's Nonfiction: Global Warming

Simon, S. (2010). Global warming. New York: Collins.

 

Reading level: 890L

Interest level: Grades 3 – 6

 

This Smithsonian Institution and Seymour Simon penned picture book explores the reality of global warming. Attempting neutrality, the jacket reads, “Earth’s climate has always varied, but it is now changing more rapidly than at any other time in recent centuries.” I read this alongside Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” to compare the texts. The book begins by explaining the difference between weather and climate, something many global warming deniers could benefit from reading. Next, against an image of Earth from space, Simon tells us about the greenhouse effect. Simon then summarizes the findings of a 2007 report (“2,500 scientists from 130 countries”) that came to a consensus that the current spate of warmer trends is, in fact, caused by human activity. Simon uses straightforward, easily digestible facts to make this point: “There is 30 percent more carbon dioxide in the air than there was 150 years ago.” Simple enough language is used that a 4^th or 5^th grader could easily comprehend the ideas – again, this would probably be useful for adults who are “interested” in “climate change.” Comparative images are also used to great effect. One criticism: while there is a glossary and “read more” section at the back of the book, I would have preferred to see a bibliography of studies used to support the statements made, especially since this is a controversial topic.

I checked out this book to compare and contrast with the YA iteration of Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth.” This could be an interesting science class project for a small group, where several texts could be compared to parse differences between texts on the same topic.

Some possible texts to use for comparisons: 

Washington Post: The Tempest

Cooler Heads Coalition: Antarctic Cooling Down

Children's Nonfiction: Remember: The Journey to School Integration

Morrison, T. (2004). Remember: the journey to school integration. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.

Nonfiction

With a focus on integration, “Beloved” and “The Bluest Eye” author Toni Morrison explores our shared history of integration through the Civil Right Movement. While Brown v. Board of Education is used as a touchpoint, Morrison allows her scope to range somewhat wider, exploring other areas of social integration that opened after the landmark court ruling. Morrison uses familiar, famous photographs to guide us through our history. She captions each iconic image with a pithy but nevertheless poignant statement, inviting us to imagine ourselves what those in the images are thinking or wanting to say. Seeing so many faces really gives the movement a sense of realism and immediacy, which is important as these events fade into capital H History. At the end of the book, each image is given a context and small blurb, so that those interested can explore the history behind individual images. I’ve always been curious about this image of a girl from the Little Rock Nine: 

I know it’s probably a lame reason to be interested in her, but she’s always struck me as stylish with her crisp white shirtdress, shorn hair and dark sunglasses. The way she walks by the screaming crowd, collected, cool, clutching her schoolbooks with one arm. After reading her name, Elizabeth Eckford, I turned to Google to learn more about her. I found this really fascinating slate article about her relationship with THE screaming protestor, Hazel Massery. After some time, Hazel changed her ideas and advocated for civil rights - convincing her mother over time, even, who would go on to vote for Barack Obama in the historic 2008 presidential election. 

"The Many Lives of Hazel Bryan"

Use in the classroom: Obviously, this book would make a great supplement to a unit on the civil rights era, school integration, or both. Students could create their own captions, or create mini-research reports on individual archival images. Older students reading “The Bluest Eye” could compare the page about the girls’ doll to elements of that story.

Children's Nonfiction: Once Upon a Starry Night: A Book of Constellation Stories

Mitton, J., & Balit, C. (2003). Once upon a starry night: a book of constellation stories. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic.

Reading level: 530L

Interest level: Grades 1 - 3

This beautifully illustrated book describes and explains the constellations in a semi-narrative format: “Look up, and what do you see? Not just stars, but a vast picture book.” As the story moves across the sky, the author connects the constellations’ characters by familial blood or conflict (often both), which is a clever tactic for students that may glaze over at anything that sounds like it’s approaching history or science. Every illustrated constellation is punctuated by reflective silvery stars that explain to the reader how the stars create the constellation’s “picture.” The text is also lyrical: “Where the Milky Way tumbles through the northern sky sits Queen Cassiopeia, a zigzag of dazzling stars…” Since continuing the narrative thread throughout the sky would be problematic in a picture book format, the pretense is dropped and picked up again as necessary.

Use this book to supplement a unit on Grecian and Roman myths or discuss why these creatures, people and figures were chosen and not spiders or slugs.

Frequently Asked Questions about constellations