A review by silvia10smith
Eyes Wide Open: Going Behind the Environmental Headlines by Paul Fleischman

4.0

What I appreciated most about this book was the wealth of resources it draws from and points readers toward. So many of the topics discussed have a tag in the margin saying "learn more at this website" or "search for similar headlines in your local papers" or "this documentary will give a specific view on the issue". It gives a good view of the basic reasons why climate change is concerning and why it can be hard for people to want to tackle the issue, for political, pecuniary, and psychological reasons. I love the breadth of the topic covered. I wish it did more to encourage or suggest easy ways to get involved and make changes, but the argument that it does make is a really important step to helping people be educated on the issue and care more about how they do contribute (both to problems and solutions!).
The book is geared toward teens, and it would easily be appropriate reading for any middle school or high school class. It's a simple read that's a great introduction to some of the big players and systems involved in our current environmental issues.

I would recommend it to everyone who's invested in living on this planet.