Science title for high school: We Are the Weather Makers by Tim Flannery, adapted by Sally M. Walker

 

 

Bibliographic Information:

Walker, S. M., & Flannery, T. (2009). We Are the Weather Makers: The History of Climate Change. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick.

Plot description:  

In 2001 Tim Flannery wrote The Weather Makers - a groundbreaking text on the undeniable facts and uncertain future being faced by planet Earth.  In 2009, Sally M. Walker adapted his work for the young adult population - "the generation who will act on climate change."  Regardless of the fact that this edition has been customized for a younger readership, the science is still incredibly thorough and the facts are eye-opening.  This book is unique in that it explores the past, present and future in equal measures, so that the reader is left with a holistic view of the root causes and likely consequences of climate change.  Fear not!  Young readers will not be left feeling hopeless.  Flannery and Walker have created a book that empowers young adults to take charge of their future by being realistic about the hard science of climate change and what they can meaningfully accomplish to fight its advance.

 

Quantitative reading level:

ATOS Book Level: 10.0
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up
Lexile Measure: 1280L

 

Qualitative reading analysis: 

We are the Weather Makers starts with an introduction by the author and is then split into three parts - Earth and the Climate Connection, Endangered Habitats, and What's to Come.  Each on the three parts is further split into manageable chapters, each with a "Call to Action."  After the meat of the book, there is a section of source notes, credits for the images used in the text, and the index.

It is unnecessary for readers to come to this book with any prior knowledge - in fact, young readers new to these ideas will come to the pages without any preconceived ideas about the subject matter.  Walker has done a wonderful job making the language accessible without "dumbing down" the very serious information Flannery has collected.

While the ATOS level indicates a high level of language skill, the book is actually very approachable, particularly with adult guidance.  This is a knotty topic where it is important to allow kids to stretch in order to grasp what they are reading.

 

Content area:

Science - Environmental Science

Content area standard:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.1
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations or descriptions.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.2
Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; trace the text's explanation or depiction of a complex process, phenomenon, or concept; provide an accurate summary of the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.4
Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9-10 texts and topics.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.5
Analyze the structure of the relationships among concepts in a text, including relationships among key terms (e.g., force, friction, reaction force, energy).

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.6
Analyze the author's purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text, defining the question the author seeks to address.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.7
Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.8
Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author's claim or a recommendation for solving a scientific or technical problem.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.9
Compare and contrast findings presented in a text to those from other sources (including their own experiments), noting when the findings support or contradict previous explanations or accounts.

 

Curriculum suggestions: 

By the time they have reached high school, most teens will have been made aware of climate change.  However, they might not have received the kind of well-rounded view that Flannery and Walker provide.  After they read the book, an interesting project might be to create an interactive climate change timeline.  Alternately, an interactive climate change world map would be enlightening. Students could compile data on certain areas of the globe and outline the causes and effects of climate change on that area.  Why are some areas more hard hit?  What are some common features that countries causing the biggest concerns share?

 

Supporting digital content:

Thinking About Climate Change - http://www.theweathermakers.org/pdf/tacc.pdf
Real Climate - http://www.realclimate.org/
Climate Resources - http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/pd/climate/welcome.html 
 

 

Awards:

- Winner of Santa Monica Public Library’s Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, 2010

 

Personal thoughts:

Climate change can be a scary and overwhelming topic.  Sally M. Walker does an excellent job of adapting Flannery's text without condescending to young readers.  The authors paint a full picture of the climate crisis while still allowing the reader to imagine that they themselves hold some power in the efforts to halt climate change (as indeed they do).  

Science picture book: Puffling Patrol by Ted and Betsy Lewin

Bibliographic Information:

Lewin, T. (2012). Puffling Patrol. New York: Lee & Low Books.

 

Plot description:  

The authors, Ted and Betsy Lewin, recount their first trip to the Westman Islands to witness the work of the Puffling Patrol. At the end of each summer, countless adult puffins leave the islands after spending the warmer months caring for their new babies. Sometimes the youngest puffins are too little and weak to make it to sea, and they head for the town lights rather than the water. It is the job of the Puffling Patrol, a group of children who call the Westmore Islands home, who scour the streets to find the lost puffins. On one night, Ted and Betsy go along on a patrol where one puffin is found and brought to the Natural History Museum. After the puffins are strong enough to survive on their own, the children of the Puffling Patrol bring them to the beach and release them to the sea.

 

Quantitative reading level:

ATOS Book Level: 5.2
Interest Level: Grades 2-4
Lexile Measure: 910L

 

Qualitative reading analysis: 

The book begins with an introduction by Ted and Betsy Lewin describing the Icelandic cliff dwellings of the puffins, and the cycle that brings them back each year.Then the authors tell the story of their experience with the Puffling Patrol. After the story there are three informational sections called "Atlantic Puffin Facts," "The Volcano of 1973," and "Vestmannaeyjar's Puffins Today." There is also a one page glossary and pronunciation guide.

Particularly young readers will need the help of an adult to help with pronunciation. More advanced readers will enjoy the challenge of learning new Icelandic names and words. Most readers will benefit from a quick introduction to the geography, which is important to the story. The Lewins do a nice job of introducing other concepts relating to animal habitats, climate change and the importance of human efforts to help animals and the environment. Puffling Patrol is an excellent read-aloud book, and the illustrations are captivating. While the reading level is on the high side for the interest level, it is an easily understandable text with a little adult guidance.

 

Content area:

Science -  Ecology.
Social Studies - Geography. 

Content area standard: 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.1

Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.2
Identify the main topic of a multiparagraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs within the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.3
Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.5
Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.6
Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.7
Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.8
Describe how reasons support specific points the author makes in a text.

 

Curriculum suggestions:  

 Puffling Patrol is a good introduction to the idea that humans impact the ecological balance in the world.  The Lewins describe the many factors that play into the puffins' difficulty in returning the sea, one of which is the warming temperature of the water.  They also imply that the young puffins are confused by the city lights.   While human interaction is ultimately what save the vulnerable puffins, it is human actions that made them in need of saving.  Young students will be able to connect the dots with the help of their teacher.

Supporting digital content:

Iceland Puffins - http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/puffin_atlantic_iceland
Atlantic Puffin Facts for Kids - http://www.animalfactguide.com/animal-facts/atlantic-puffin/

 

Awards:

  - Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

  - Green Earth Book Award Honor Book, The Nature Generation

  - Nonfiction Honor List, VOYA

  - Outstanding Children's Book Award Finalist, Animal Behavior Society

 

Personal thoughts:

Puffling Patrol is a charming story with a serious message. This book does a wonderful job explaining human impact (both bad and good) without being scary or preachy to young children. The story will allow children to ask questions of their teacher, librarian or parent that they might not otherwise know how to frame. I highly recommend this book for any library servicing children in the K-3 range.