Going Organic

April 1, 2012

Gr 5-9-Whether looking to go organic, ovo-lacto vegetarian, or vegan, kids will find the information necessary to make the switch in these titles. Each book includes a definition of the lifestyle, an exploration of the reasons to change eating habits, suggestions for handling pushback from family and friends, and practical tips to get started. Rau cautions against changing for the wrong reasons, advises careful research and diet planning, and empowers kids to take ownership of their decisions. Organic focuses on the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, making no mention of other certification programs. It does, however, warn kids about trusting organic labels implicitly and recommends that they go straight to the source when possible by researching and even visiting companies. Serve these up to budding health foodies.

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2012
Grades 6-9 This overview of organic food practices, part of the Food Revolution series, presents a broad array of information that, while written from a decidedly pro-organic point of view, is notable for its evenhandedness. Rau acknowledges that organic foods might be a hard sell for somewhether due to finances or availabilitybut the underlying message that it's important to have a working knowledge of the modern state of food production will benefit just about any reader. She outlines the perils of factory farms and industrial food lots, both on an environmental and personal scale; distinguishes the often interrelated terms organic, sustainable, and local; offers a rundown of potentially misleading marketing terms; and even tosses in a few recipes, charts, and other helpful sidebars. Readers who find their interest piqued by this informative and concise treatment should head directly to Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma, Young Readers Edition (2009).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)