The Environment Encyclopedia

Booknews

Suitable for middle school students, this 11-volume reference comprises about 400 alphabetically arranged entries selected, according to the editors' preface, on the basis of what students, individuals, consumers, citizens, and voters need to know to make informed choices and take action on environmental problems. A thematic outline of the contents identifies the following main themes: natural ecosystems; cultural ecosystems (population, health, disease transportation, pollution, waste, economics); environmentalism history; law, government, and education; art, literature, and ethics; and biographical entries. The entries themselves are typically two-to- four pages in length, with bibliographical references and at least one (often two) small color photo or graph on each page. The slimness of the volumes and the spacious page layout make this reference unintimidating to its intended school age readers. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)