Dive In!

August 15, 2018
A passionate environmentalist explains why oceans are amazing and what young readers can do to keep them that way.In her first book for young readers, novelist and biologist Eriksson connects her audience to the oceans around the world, describes current threats, suggests general ways to help, and offers specific examples of ways to "be an ocean hero." The book's four short chapters feature frequent subheadings, sidebars--her personal connections (labeled "My Marine Life"); paragraphs of "Ocean Facts"; and invitations for personal involvement (labeled "Make a Splash!")--and small photographs. The author and publisher have made an effort to include images of people from around the world, including First Nations neighbors harvesting clams in front of the writer's waterfront home on Thetis Island in British Columbia. (The author herself is white.) Opening with quotations from Dr. Sylvia Earle and ecologist Barry Commoner, she makes clear the importance of water in human lives. Her examples of ocean overload are sobering, but she concludes her list of challenges with the reminder that "Change = Opportunity" and devotes more than half her pages to appropriate actions, many within reach of kids, toward ocean rescue. For readers old enough to cope with the bad news, the range of suggestions will be welcome. Her organization makes sense, and the exposition is clear and often directly addressed to the reader. Concise and still thorough, this is a solid addition to a wide-ranging and ecologically conscious series. (resources, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 9-14)

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October 1, 2018
Grades 3-6 This is a passionate plea for young readers to start enjoying, protecting, and preserving our oceans. Eriksson grew up in the middle of flat, dry Canada but became a teenage deep-sea enthusiast and activist after taking scuba lessons. She shares her personal love for the ocean and talks about how so many of the things readers take for granted, like foods and medicines, come from the sea. While serious problems threaten our oceans, primarily overfishing and pollution, there are ways readers can become part of meaningful solutions. Eriksson's suggested strategies can be implemented by beach dwellers and land-locked urbanites alike and identify realistic, actionable steps based on successful programs (many initiated by kids) that restore environments and reduce toxic waste. The brief chapters are divided into manageable subsections, and full-color photos and sidebars appear on every page. References are provided for student researchers, and there's sufficient visual appeal to entice browsers. International in scope, this is a hopeful and appealing call to action.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)