The green movement is enjoying the national spotlight as governments, businesses, and individuals strive toward environmentally responsible practices. Although going green may seem like a recent trend, many aspects of today's heightened environmental awareness began in 1970 when the United States celebrated its first Earth Day. What began as a small campaign turned into a national phenomenon as students all over the country engaged in a grassroots movement to draw attention to the environment. The first Earth Day was so successful because it mobilized 20 million people, including thousands of students who were passionate about the cause. Today's emphasis on going green has similar potential, but students must once again become active leaders in the movement. Their participation is logical, as they will suffer the most if current problems aren't addressed effectively. The great thing about the contemporary movement is that there's a real emphasis on the small things that anyone can do to make a difference. The suggested resources include hundreds of ideas for students to make their lifestyles more environmentally friendly. Nonfiction selections may touch on the science behind environmental issues, but the real focus is on proactive responses to current problems. Fiction choices feature youths of all ages tackling ecological concerns in big and small ways. Hopefully these titles will provide inspiration to rally another green generation devoted to facing these issues head on.

Elementary

ADLER, David A. Cam Jansen and the Green School Mystery. illus. by Joy Allen. Viking. 2008. Tr $13.99. ISBN 978-0-670-06265-2; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-14-241456-9. Gr 1-3–Cam is excited to learn that her school is going green with a recycled-can drive to raise money for energy-efficient skylights. When the earnings go missing, she must use her photographic memory to help find the stolen coins. Signature sleuthing with an on-target environmental message. BARRACLOUGH, Sue.Reusing Things. (Making a Difference Series). Sea-to-Sea. 2008. PLB $27.10. ISBN 978-1-59771-109-8. K-Gr 3–Ways to reuse paper, junk, bags, and clothes are presented, along with suggestions for repairing and repainting items. Projects include making an egg-carton organizer and homemade paper, and donating unwanted toys to a thrift store. Illustrated with full-color photos. GLIORI, Debi. The Trouble with Dragons. illus. by author. Walker. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8027-9789-6; RTE $17.89. ISBN 978-0-8027-9790-2. K-Gr 3–As their population grows, dragons consume too many resources in this rhyming picture book. They chop down forests and melt ice caps. A flood begins and the situation worsens until endangered animal friends provide green-living advice, including eating locally grown food. Bright, vivid illustrations provide well-detailed support. HARPER, Charise Mericle. Just Grace Goes Green. Bk. 4. illus. by author. (Just Grace Series). Houghton. 2009. Tr $15. ISBN 978-0-618-95957-0. Gr 2-5–Grace is a sharp-eyed, slightly sassy third grader with a penchant for witty observations. In this latest episode in her life, Grace's class finds ways to help the Earth, including encouraging people to recycle their plastic bottles. Simple black-and-white drawings add charm to a chapter book sure to attract fans of Junie B. Jones. KNIGHT, M. J. Why Should I Care About Nature? (One Small Step Series). Smart Apple Media. 2008. PLB $27.10. ISBN 978-1-59920-266-2; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-89756-346-5. Gr 3-6–A basic ecology primer, this book introduces the concepts of habitat and food chains with efficient watercolor diagrams. It also includes ideas to aid wildlife conservation and habitat preservation, such as conducting a school-grounds survey and making a wildlife garden. All ideas are kid-friendly. MAGNER, Tim. An Environmental Guide from A to Z. illus. by Aubri Vincent-Barwood. Green Sugar. 2009. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-0-9820417-6-5. Gr 3-6–This environmental alphabet, with a multicultural and global perspective, addresses a wide variety of topics related to ecology and conservation. Each letter, accompanied by two to five paragraphs of text and bright watercolor illustrations, provides a great starting point for classroom research and discussion. ROSS, Kathy. Earth-Friendly Crafts: Clever Ways to Reuse Everyday Items. illus. by Céline Malépart. Millbrook. 2009. PLB $26.60. ISBN 978-0-8225-9099-6. Gr 3-6–Step-by-step instructions present 20 ideas for reusing familiar objects destined for the garbage can. Projects include a slinky CD holder, a glove octopus puppet, pencil holders, and frames. Illustrations are bright and colorful, rendered in a collage format mixing photographs and watercolors. SIRETT, Dawn. Love Your World: How to Take Care of the Plants, the Animals, and the Planet. illus. by Rachael Parfitt. DK. 2009. Tr $8.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-4590-8. K-Gr 2–This rhyming picture book, with bright photos of young children in action, includes practical tips and general guidelines for helping youngsters go green. The book also embraces environmentally friendly publishing–the paper is sourced from responsibly managed forests and printed with vegetable inks that are not made from petroleum products. WONG, Janet S. The Dumpster Diver. illus. by David Roberts. Candlewick. 2007. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-2380-7. K-Gr 3–With an emphasis on reusing and repurposing “garbage,” this story of neighborhood friendship demonstrates that one man's trash is another's treasure. Kids in an apartment building provide backup for Steve, an expert Dumpster diver who's great at discovering new uses for old things. Bold, whimsical illustrations perfectly match the story. YEE, Wong Herbert. A Brand-New Day with Mouse and Mole. illus. by author. Houghton. 2008. RTE $15. ISBN 978-0-618-96676-9. Gr 1-3–In this early reader, Mouse and Mole are tasked with finding new clothes to replace Mole's moth-eaten shirts and pants. They search the stores, but Mole struggles to warm up to new trends, as delightfully illustrated by the simple watercolor images. They eventually discover clever uses for old things and learn that newer isn't always better.

Middle School

ALDERSON, Sue Ann. The Eco-Diary of Kiran Singer. illus. by Millie Ballance. Tradewind. 2007. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-896580-47-0. Gr 5-7–Told in verse, 12-year-old Kiran's diary reflects her weeklong experience working with her grandmother and a conservation crew to restore a bog in Vancouver, Canada. The poems are accompanied by a series of small, detailed watercolor illustrations as Kiran insightfully and beautifully records her observations of nature and interactions with the “boggers.” DELANNOY, Isabelle. Our Living Earth: A Story of People, Ecology, and Preservation. photos by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. illus. by David Giraudon. Abrams. 2008. RTE $24.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-7132-5. Gr 6 Up–Aerial photographs from around the world give a unique bird's-eye perspective and provide compelling visual evidence of the environmental impact of humans. Striking images are accompanied by accessible text with universal suggestions for protecting the Earth. One of the book's highlights is its global perspective. FARQUHAR, Jackie, ed. Try This at Home: Planet-Friendly Projects for Kids. Owl Kids. 2009. pap. $10.95. ISBN 978-2-89579-192-8. Gr 5-8–The publishers of Owl Magazine present nearly 20 ecology-minded activities intermingled with smaller sections on environmental issues. Project ideas include making your own soap, “planting” a pizza (gardening), and a fabulous section on making bikes road-ready. Illustrations are an inviting mix of photographs and cartoons. HARLEY, Bill. Night of the Spadefoot Toads. Peachtree. 2008. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-459-4. Gr 5-8–After a cross-country move from Arizona, Ben struggles to adjust to life in Massachusetts until he develops an unlikely friendship with his fifth-grade biology teacher. She introduces him to the endangered spadefoot toad and the habitat that she's cultivated to protect the species. Proposed development threatens the creatures, and Ben jumps in to protect them. HIAASEN, Carl. Scat. Knopf/Borzoi. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-83486-8; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-93486-5. Gr 5-8–When their much-maligned biology teacher disappears during a swamp field trip, most students chalk it up to a bit of good luck. Nick and Marta, however, are skeptical and suspect foul play, deciding to investigate the connection to nearby oil drilling and reports of an endangered panther family. Audio version available from Listening Library. JANKÉLIOWITCH, Anne. 50 Ways to Save the Earth. photos by Philippe Bourseiller. Abrams. 2008. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-8109-7239-1. Gr 6-8–Suggestions for saving the planet are accompanied by beautiful nature photography. Divided into seven categories, each brief tip is followed by a lengthier explanation of its benefits. Jankéliowitch goes beyond the typical “recycle your cans” to include ideas such as returning unused medicines to the pharmacy. MICHAEL, Pamela, ed. River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things. Milkweed. 2008. Tr $30. ISBN 978-1-57131-685-1; pap. $18. ISBN 978-1-57131-680-6. Gr 5-8–River of Words, a nonprofit organization, sponsors a yearly international art and poetry contest for children. The best entries have been collected for this beautiful and insightful anthology. The book, with its nature theme, provides the perfect inspiration for going green. TURNER, Pamela S. A Life in the Wild: George Schaller's Struggle to Save the Last Great Beasts. photos & illus. by George Schaller. Farrar/Melanie Kroupa Bks. 2008. Tr $21.95. ISBN 978-0-374-34578-5. Gr 6-8–This biography of a famous zoologist and conservationist demonstrates how exotic-animal research went green. Schaller was the first to pioneer studying exotic animals in the wild, an environmentally responsible change from the more traditional capture-and-kill method of research. Includes many photographs from Schaller's personal collection. VANDERWOOD, Jill Ammon. What's It Like Living Green?: Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live. illus. by Emma Austin. BookSurge. 2009. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4392-2477-9. Gr 5-8–In these first-person accounts, kids and adults provide insight into green lifestyles, sharing practical daily tips alongside inspirational projects enacted on a larger scale. Stories include one mom's use of the FreeCycle Web site (www.freecycle.org), similar to Craigslist classifieds, but all items posted are free of charge, and another about a boy's mission to make clean water accessible in Africa. WILLIAMS, Dar. Lights, Camera, Amalee. Bk. 2. (Amalee Series). Scholastic. 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-439-80352-6; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-439-80353-3. Gr 5-7–When her grandmother dies, Amalee, an endearing middle-schooler, inherits a huge champagne bottle filled with coins. A trip to the bank reveals a gift of more than two thousand dollars. Amalee decides to use the money to make a documentary film about endangered animals, encouraging others to support her important cause.

High School

ALVARADO, Melissa, Hope Meng, & Melissa Rannels. Subversive Seamster: Transform Thrift Store Threads into Street Couture. photos by Matthew Carden. Taunton. 2007. pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-1-56158-925-8. Gr 9 Up–Following an introduction to basic sewing skills, 30 project ideas are presented that transform thrift-store finds, including prom dresses and pleated pants, into stylish clothing and accessories. Many fashions are edgy and perhaps not for everyone, but teens who cultivate a unique sense of style will revel in the ideas. COWAN, Jennifer. Earthgirl. Groundwood. 2009. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-88899-889-7. Gr 9 Up–Sabine Solomon, 16, becomes an unlikely environmental activist when her rant against a litter bug is videotaped and posted on YouTube. The unique narration includes blog entries that incorporate resources for additional information. Best of all, readers can access an interactive blog at http://sabinetheearthgirl.wordpress.com as the book's characters and message extend to the Internet. INGOLD, Jeanette. Hitch. Harcourt. 2005. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-15-204747-4; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-15-205619-3. Gr 9 Up–This novel offers insight into conservation during the Great Depression. Moss, a teenager, joins the Civilian Conservation Corps to help his family back home in Texas. He shows a natural inclination for leadership as he rallies his friends to help local farmers prevent disastrous erosion. KINGSOLVER, Barbara, Camille Kingsolver, & Steven L. Hopp. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life. HarperCollins. 2007. Tr $26.95. ISBN 978-0-06-085255-9; pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-0-06-085256-6. Gr 9 Up–Kingsolver and her family vow to eat nothing but locally grown foods for one year. Although they miss produce in the winter and are overrun with zucchini in the summer, their lives are greatly enriched. Experiences on their family farm introduce readers to the environmental and health benefits of the locavore's lifestyle. LLOYD, Saci. The Carbon Diaries: 2015. Holiday House. 2009. Tr. $17.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2190-9. Gr 9 Up–This futuristic novel provides insight into what life might be like when going green isn't an option but a government requirement. Set in London, and told in diary form by 16-year-old Laura Brown, the story reflects the life of one family as England becomes the first country to try carbon-rationing. MYSPACE COMMUNITY, with Jeca Taudte. MySpace/OurPlanet: Change Is Possible. illus. by Dan Santat. HarperCollins/Bowen Press. 2008. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-06-156204-4. Gr 8 Up–The OurPlanet section of MySpace is an active group of young environmentalists. This book captures suggestions from the online community for living greener in the areas of home, health and body, and social life. Tips include forgoing a limo for prom and renting a hybrid instead. NAGLE, Jeanne. Living Green. (In the News Series). Rosen. 2008. PLB $29.95. ISBN 978-1-4358-5037-8. Gr 7 Up–This addition to a reliable series provides green-living tips, along with important ancillary information, including the history and future of the green movement and a well-written chapter on the politics of environmental legislation. A good choice for classroom research. PRITCHETT, Laura, ed. Going Green: True Tales from Gleaners, Scavengers, and Dumpster Divers. Univ. of Oklahoma. 2009. pap. $19.95. ISBN 978-0-8061-4013-1. Gr 9 Up–A series of personal essays reveals experiences reusing and repurposing discarded or unwanted materials scavenged and gleaned from other people's “garbage.” Much of the book focuses on the taboo of scavenging and brings into question the current trend of buying “green products” rather than simply reusing what already exists. ROGERS, Elizabeth & Thomas M. Kostigen. The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time. Three Rivers. 2007. pap. $13.95. ISBN 978-0-307-38135-4. Gr 9 Up–With an emphasis on the consequences of consumerism, the authors offer practical suggestions for going green. Each chapter is divided into easily digested sections and considers how to make positive changes in everyday habits, from home and school to travel and entertainment. Celebrity interviews with Will Ferrell, Jennifer Aniston, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and others are included. SIVERTSEN, Linda & Tosh Sivertsen. Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life. S & S/Pulse. 2008. pap. $10.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-6122-2. Gr 8 Up–The authors, a mother and son, have spent much of their lives living green and are experts at crafting an eco-friendly lifestyle. An introduction to environmental concerns is followed by a series of chapters focusing on different areas of green living, including “Guilt-Free Shopping,” “Hanging Out Green,” and “Green Wheels.”

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Lindsay Cesari is with the Baldwinsville (NY) School District. She can be reached at LCesari@bville.org.