This book is geared toward young readers, but it gives them a ton to think about without "talking down" to kids in a preachy manner. The chapters focus on topics such as consumerism, where our food and clothing comes from, the global impact of how we spend our money, and how to make better (from a green/sustainability aspect) choices. I learned a great deal by reading this, and there are many other sources referenced that I'd also like to peruse. I recommend this book to students who would like to make a difference in the world. Anyone who wants to make a positive difference in the world, or who is not afraid to question the mainstream way of doing things, would really enjoy this book.
Alex is a regular guy who wants his mom to stop nagging him about how many hours he plays video games. When his parents and little sister leave him home alone for the weekend, Alex is planning for the best weekend ever. Until disaster strikes--a supervolcano erupts and the world as Alex knows it ceases to exist. This fast-paced survival story will capture the interest of many readers, but I highly recommend it for upper middle school boys who like a lot of action and aren't afraid of some gory violence. (Honestly, for some of my students, the promise of a little gore pulls them in). I also LOVED Darla, a character who is nowhere near a "damsel in distress" (Hurray for strong female characters). Although the book's thick size may be daunting for some readers, a solid book talk with a read-aloud teaser will hook teens into this engaging trilogy series. I can't wait to read books #2 and #3.
