Eyes Wide Open

Starred review from August 11, 2014
“History is happening right here and right now,” writes Newbery Medalist Fleischman in this challenging and provocative overview of current environmental and sociological problems, which urges readers to think critically and broadly about the world. Throughout, Fleischman gives readers a toolbox of deciphering skills with which to recognize—for starters—the vested interests that guide decisions made by those in power, media and PR distortions, and both real and “shadow” solutions. Photographs, sidebars, and an array of suggested resources bolster the hard truths outlined (“Solving the environment requires looking straight at reality and calculating the costs of our lifestyle and options”). Few readers will look at the world the same way after finishing this book. Ages 14–up.

Starred review from August 1, 2014

Gr 6 Up-Written in a lively style, lavishly illustrated, and timely in its subject matter, this well-researched book is a call to action: now is the time to save our environment. The author describes his technique as getting altitude, or getting above the problem, to see the big picture. Rather than simply offering a list of simple things kids can do to help the environment, he offers more complex solutions for becoming aware of the issues, such as noticing that there is a problem, becoming aware of defense mechanisms preventing people from acting, and learning about systems like capitalism that allow environmental threats to continue. Each chapter, divided into nifty topic-highlighted paragraphs, is filled with historical facts and current events, sidebars, photographs, and definitions of key terms. Backstories, including the oil embargo, the ozone crisis, and the Kyoto Protocol, are presented along with a section on how to weigh information (evaluate the media, follow the money, and check for fallacies). The presentation of facts and the author's positive message are what shine here. An excellent and thought-provoking take on a well-worn subject.-Patricia Ann Owens, formerly with Illinois Eastern Community College, Mt. Carmel

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 15, 2014
Grades 8-12 *Starred Review* This remarkable book offers young people the tools they need to become informed, responsible global citizens. While it opens with a tale of Fleischman finding dead bees in his driveway, the discussion quickly broadens to consider the application of critical thinking skills to environmental issues. Rather than advising readers to take specific actions, Fleischman tells them how to evaluate information on topics such as climate change and encourages them to take action by charting a course that seems reasonable. He also discusses techniques to sway public opinion, such as sowing doubt, discrediting scientific studies, and hiding corporate funding of organizations promoting, for example, fossil fuels. The cascade of facts, observations, informed commentary, and sage advice may occasionally overwhelm. On the whole, though, thoughtful readers will appreciate this insightful, refreshing title's broad scope, use of specific examples, and the many references to related books, documentaries, and online articles, lectures, and interviews. The appended How to Weigh Information section is particularly excellent. A Newbery Medalwinning writer, Fleischman notes that he is no trained scientist, but his exceptional ability to organize the information here and present it articulately makes him a notable citizen scientist.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2015
A wake-up call about the environmental crisis, the book homes in on five "key fronts"--population, consumption, energy, food, and climate--and explores historical and sociological contexts. Fleischman writes urgently, conversationally, and inspirationally, in a flow of ideas that can be dizzying. Yet none of the concepts is dumbed-down. A refreshingly opinionated approach to informed action. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2014
Fleischman issues a wake-up call -- and a challenge -- to today's teens about the environmental crisis. He begins with a call to arms to see through "the everyday world's two biggest illusions: 'it's always been this way' and 'everything's fine,'" urging teens to critically examine the information fed to them through advertising, politics, and "the whole culture we're part of." The book homes in on five "key fronts" -- population, consumption, energy, food, and climate -- and explores the historical and sociological contexts in which those in power made the profit-driven decisions that helped get us into this mess. Fleischman writes urgently, conversationally, and inspirationally, in a flow of ideas that is sometimes quite dizzying as he connects the dots between major social, political, psychological, economic, and scientific concepts and his personal experiences and thoughts. There's a lot to process: a single page might hold references to a political speech, an internet video, a cartoon image, Fleischman's observations of his local environment, and a sophisticated scientific term. Yet none of the concepts is dumbed-down, and readers can look up more information if they choose using the copious source notes, resource lists, and a primer on critical media consumption found in the back of the book. Going straight to the issues that matter, this is a refreshingly opinionated approach to informed action, encouraging teens to think and act critically, communally, and responsibly. danielle j. ford

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)