Environmental Pioneers

School Library Journal

Gr 6 Up-Nine environmentalists are followed from childhood, and readers see how they came to know and appreciate nature. Some of the individuals profiled wrote in order to gather support for their work; others used physical activism to bring attention to their causes. John Muir, Aldo Leopold, and Rachel Carson are here, and lesser-known activists are also given attention: Ding Darling, Rosalie Edge, Olaus and Margaret Murie, David Brower, and Gaylord Nelson. Unlike most authors of books on this topic for a young audience, Byrnes is an experienced environmental writer, and takes an affectionate tone in describing her subjects. Some of the black-and-white photographs are fuzzy, most likely due to the age of the photos used for reproduction, but they add an appropriate historical touch. No glossary is included, and pertinent terms are defined within the text, which may distract some readers. A bibliography, list of government agencies, and environmental groups to contact are all included.-Mary B. McCarthy, Windsor Severance Library District, CO