It's Getting Hot in Here

Starred review from November 23, 2015
“When it comes to global warming and whether or not it’s being caused by human actions, the verdict is in. There is no reasonable doubt.” Heos (Stronger than Silk) doesn’t mince words in this self-described “call to action,” as she clearly and effectively details the greenhouse effect, the ice ages and mass extinctions of Earth’s history, the scientific evidence behind climate change, the ways human activities contributes to it, and the politicization of the topic. Between chapters, “Be the Change” pages gather tips for those interested in reducing their own environmental impact, particularly where emissions are concerned (eat less meat, purchase more used goods). Well-researched and comprehensible, it’s an alarming, but never alarmist, examination of a critical topic. Ages 12–up. Agent: Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

December 1, 2015
A comprehensive introduction to the scientific history and current understandings about climate change. Heos opens her well-organized presentation with a strong statement of the reasons readers need to know about this issue: "Scientists agree that human-induced global warming is well under way, and that it is cause for great concern." Chapter by chapter, she explains what climate is, describes its changing nature since Earth's beginnings, tells how scientists have determined that Earth is warming again, this time as a result of human actions, and suggests reasons for humans' lack of response. Each chapter ends with tips on how to "Be the Change," suggesting what readers can do personally to assess their own energy use; reduce household, fuel, agricultural, industrial, and waste emissions; and spread the word. A concluding section offers further and larger-scale solutions. Even the design of this well-thought-out briefing will remind readers that things are heating up: page numbers are set on red circles; almost every spread includes a red-bordered photograph or other graphic; and the suggestions to take action are printed in white on a red background. Many of the author's sources, listed in an extensive bibliography, are available online. Determined readers can find and follow them up, but most of her revealing statistics are not footnoted. "Rooted in science" and offering teen readers tools for individual action, this is a necessary purchase for most libraries. (bibliography, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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January 1, 2016

Gr 6-9-Dismissing climate change skeptics as politically motivated, Heos surveys observational evidence that global warming is altering our "perfect world" and that the historically recent increases in our atmosphere's carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are due to human agency. She also presents ominous future scenarios featuring larger and more frequent storms, heat waves, and famines, plus rising tides of global warming "refugees" displaced by flooding coastlines. Along with tallying governmental and other broad initiatives designed to reduce the production of said gases, the author includes "Be the Change" suggestions that readers can undertake themselves. Though this work undeniably addresses an issue of serious universal concern, it's well behind the curve in the currency of its information; figures for atmospheric carbon dioxide are dated December 2013 but come from a site that updates weekly, for instance, and the author mentions only the 2012 winners of the Environmental Youth Awards. Few if any of the dated sources cited in the endnotes will be less than two years old by the time of publication. Moreover, young activists are unlikely to find anything new or inspirational in the generalized suggestions to take quicker showers, move the household thermostat up or down one degree, buy used clothing rather than new, and so forth. VERDICT Worthy but, at best, supplementary to the young readers' edition of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth (Viking, 2007) and other more recent titles.-John Peters, Children's Literature Consultant, New York City

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2016
Grades 4-8 The undeniable fact of climate change is the timely topic of this book, which explains the historical, social, and scientific realities of global warming. The narrative begins with the formation of the universe and the earth though periods of climate change before humans, then discusses civilization's insatiable need for fossil fuels since the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. Heos offers straightforward explanations and directly addresses arguments commonly made by those who deny global warming. Full-color photographs from all corners of the globe depict many places already feeling the effects of rising sea levels and changing weather patterns. Perhaps the most powerful aspect of the book is the Be the Change section at the end of each chapter, which encourages readers to make changes in their own lifestyles to slow the rate of environmental degradation, reinforcing the notion that human actions have a direct effect on the climate. Engaging and relevant, this book urges readers to think about the implications of their actions beyond their own communities.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)