Unstoppable Us, Volume 1: How Humans Took Over the World

Gr 4-7–A philosophical take on the history of hominids, covering the evolution of the genus homo from their shared roots with other hominids to the modern homo sapiens. Harari discusses many theories of what makes humans unique in the animal world, placing the most emphasis on the theory expressed in his previous works; humans are unique because their ability to tell stories enables us to work collaboratively in ways other animals do not. Much emphasis is placed on humans being the cause of mass extinction events of creatures, such as the mammoths and other megafauna, ending with a call to action for young readers to take better care of the planet and its nonhuman inhabitants. Science facts, anthropological theory, and Harari’s own philosophy are mixed in this text with little delineation to help readers differentiate. Theories that are still hotly debated in the anthropology field are often presented as fact, and some facts may be misrepresented. For example, when explaining why Latin is used in scientific names, Harari writes that, “Latin sounds almost like magic,” and Latin is chosen because it sounds more important. This is not the commonly held explanation, and simplifying for a young audience should not mean misrepresenting facts. Harari’s statement as fact that the development of religious belief is a result of the intrinsic storytelling nature of humans may be a collection development concern, especially in communities with devout families.