Overview
From Follett
Includes index. Explains why biodiversity is important to the earth and its inhabitants and why it's our obligation to protect.
From the Publisher
In this illustrated nonfiction book, author Adrienne Mason compares planet Earth today to Noah's ark, as it travels through the universe carrying every living thing and whatever each one needs for its survival. As explained in the introduction: ?For billions of years, life on Earth has been evolving. The result --- a rich biodiversity --- is the foundation of life on our planet. And just like a strong, leak-proof hull on an ark, a healthy biodiversity supports so much.' Notable features of Earth's unique biodiversity are described, with a focus on the delicate interdependencies between species, habitats, climate and more. And explained throughout are the ways in which ?Planet Ark is sailing in troubled waters? because of threats such as climate change, extinction and overharvesting. Mason also includes a section on ?modern-day Noahs? who are helping to protect and preserve life on Earth through responsible environmental stewardship. By breaking down the broad subject of biodiversity into smaller, more manageable topics, the material is never overwhelming but becomes instead personal and compelling. Illustrations by Margot Thompson further flesh out the concepts with details. Packed with statistics, definitions and facts, this would be a tremendous resource for life sciences classes in the early grades, when biodiversity is a key component of the curriculum. As with all the titles in the CitizenKid series, this book contains specific suggestions for ways young readers can help the cause. Useful tools include a table of contents, glossary and index.
Product Details
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Publisher:Kids Can Press
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Publication Date:
April 1, 2013
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Format:
Hardcover
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Series:
CitizenKid
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Dewey:
577
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Classifications:
Nonfiction
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Description:
32 pages : color illustrations ; 32 cm.
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Tracings:
Thompson, Margot, 1965- illustrator.
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ISBN-10:
1-55453-753-3
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ISBN-13:
978-1-55453-753-2
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Follett Number:
0574BG8
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Reading Level:
6.3
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Audience:
Upper Elementary
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Grades:
3-7
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Ages:
8-12
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Booklist:
Grades 3-6
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Kirkus:
Ages 8-12
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Publishers Weekly:
Ages 8-12
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School Library Journal:
Gr 4-6
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ATOS Book Level:
6.9
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AR Interest Level:
MG
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AR Points:
1
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AR Quiz:
168520EN
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Lexile:
1060L
Reviews & Awards
- Booklist, 06/01/13
- Kirkus Reviews, 03/15/13
- Publishers Weekly starred, 03/11/13
- Resource Links, 10/01/13
- School Library Journal, 05/01/13
Full-Text Reviews
Booklist (June 1, 2013 (Vol. 109, No. 19))
Grades 3-6. This handsome book explores biodiversity. Likening Earth to an ark carrying millions of species through space, Mason calls on readers to become modern-day Noahs, doing what they can to preserve the diversity of life on the planet. Each double-page spread introduces a topic such as the vital importance of protecting habitats, the destruction caused by invasive species, and the declining diversity of food crops. One section offers examples of volunteers, particularly young people, whose projects have made a difference. Though the reading level is higher than the elementary-school level one might expect, given the highly illustrated format, the writing is clear and informative. Whether showing a detailed cross section of soil or a broad landscape of farmland, Thompson’s richly colored acrylic paintings illustrate the text beautifully. A solid addition to the CitizenKid series, and incidentally, for language arts teachers, a good example of the use of metaphor in persuasive writing.
Read all 5 full-text reviews …
Horn Book Guide (Fall 2013)
After defining biodiversity, this thorough text examines related components that are threatening it, such as species interconnectedness, habitat destruction, and global warming. Pleasing acrylic-on-canvas art illustrates the book, though the young format is at odds with the dense upper-elementary text. Sections highlighting environmental organizations and how kids can help are appended. Glos., ind.
Kirkus Reviews (March 15, 2013)
The latest title in the CitizenKid series offers children an accessible, informative introduction to the importance of biodiversity and the need to protect it. Mason frames the narrative with an image of Earth as an ark and readers as potential modern-day Noahs who can help preserve the world's biodiversity. She explains in clear, engaging prose such concepts as species, habitats, ecosystems, food chains, conservation, invasive species, overexploitation, global warming, extinction, captive breeding and fair-trade commerce. Numerous sidebars expand on ideas in the main text. Mason concludes with descriptions of individuals and organizations and the work they do as modern-day Noahs. Practical advice is offered to readers, suggesting simple, everyday things they can do to be good environmental citizens. Thompson's warm, expressive illustrations are appealing and complementary to the text. Failing to include a list of websites and suggestions for further reading is an unfortunate oversight, especially given the book's emphasis on individual action--how are kids to find further direction? An engaging and reasonably practical introduction to environmental stewardship. (glossary) (Nonfiction. 8-12)
Publishers Weekly (March 11, 2013)
"In many ways, our beautiful blue home-planet Earth-is like an ark sailing through the universe," writes Mason, drawing an analogy between the story of Noah's Ark and Earth's biodiversity in this thorough and informative addition to the CitizenKid line. Discussions of food chains, habitats, and such environmental threats follow. Thompson complements Mason's emphatic text with textured acrylic portraits of animals and ecosystems that resemble weathered tapestries. Closing pages offer examples of "modern-day Noahs" who have acted on behalf of protecting biodiversity, and ways kids can do the same. Ages 8-12. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
School Library Journal (May 1, 2013)
Gr 4-6-While comparing the Earth to Noah's ark, the author presents a wide range of environmental concerns centering on the need to maintain biodiversity. Loss of habitat, destruction of top soil, invasions by alien species, and overexploitation of resources have all resulted in the loss of countless species of animal and plant life. Each spread discusses a single topic such as habitat preservation or global warming in relation to biodiversity. Urging readers to become modern-day Noahs and work to save the Earth's precious resources, the book encourages the usual Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse but adds some additional suggestions. By Refusing unnecessary purchases and Rejoicing in the natural world, children are urged to emulate the example offered by young people throughout the world who have taken steps to combat the destruction of the environment in their countries. Illustrated with soft-toned pastel images of a variety of animals and habitats, the book seems aimed at a younger audience than the serious situations presented by the text would indicate. Still, it would be useful for classrooms studying the importance of biodiversity and other aspects of environmental science.-Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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