Environment, The

School Library Journal

Gr 5-9-These entries in an offshoot of the "Opposing Viewpoints" series attempt to make environmental information accessible to a younger audience. Including color photographs, charts, maps, and graphs, they tackle broad issues of environmental concern. In Energy Alternatives, journalists, experts, and analysts with a variety of perspectives offer ideas about the need, availability, and costs of energy sources. Environment explores "the balance between protecting the natural world and encouraging economic growth and development." In both books, fact-based questions introduce each reading, and critical-thinking exercises close each section. Students are encouraged to draw conclusions based on comparisons of the readings. Although there is some minimal background information about each author, none is offered for the publications from which the articles are derived. Some of the material is already dated. Nonetheless, these titles can serve as introductions to controversial topics and encourage discussion and further exploration.-Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.