Megan Clendenan provides historical insight into the development and progress of cities over time in this cross-curricular nonfiction text. Students will learn how cities that meet people’s needs and wants play a large part in the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of those that live there to support Social Studies and Physical and Health Education curricula. Looking closely at cities of the past and present to determine how they have evolved and changed over time can prompt students to dig deeper into the history of their own cities and understand how the roles and responsibilities of local governments have shaped how they came to be. In addition, students might examine how scientific and technological innovations have shaped societies and extend their creative and critical thinking skills in ADST to plan and design solutions to current problems in their own cities today.

Other End Matter: Glossary, A list of further print and online resources
Images: Colour illustrations
Bibliography: No
Index: Yes

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

Megan Clendenan has worked for women's rights, mental health and youth empowerment nonprofits as well as for an environmental law group, which is when she realized for the first time that the court system could be a way to help protect human health from pollution and toxic chemicals. She is the co-author of Design Like Nature, part of the Orca Footprints series, and the author of Offbeat, a novel for young readers. Megan lives in North Vancouver, British Columbia, with her family.

Megan Clendenan's profile page

Suharu Ogawa is a Toronto-based illustrator. Her love for drawing started in a kindergarten art school after being kicked out of calligraphy class for refusing to convert to right-handedness. Formally trained in art history and cultural anthropology, she worked for several years as a university librarian until her passion for illustration called her out of that career and into the pursuit of a lifelong dream. Since then, Suharu has created illustrations for magazines, public art projects and children's books, including Why Humans Work: How Jobs Shape Our Lives and Our World in the Orca Think line. She also teaches illustration at OCAD University in Toronto.

Suharu Ogawa's profile page

• Long-listed, The Nature Generation Green Earth Book Award - Children’s Nonfiction
• Commended, Children's Book Council Librarian Favorites Award 6th - 8th Grade
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
• Nominated, The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Golden Kite Award - Nonfiction Text for Older Readers

“‘Must-have’ for middle grade readers…An engaging format with an information-packed text...By encouraging critical thinking about the development of sustainable, safe, equitable cities around the world, Cities challenges today’s students to learn from the past and prepare for the future. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Truly impressive…An engaging presentation of information that might otherwise be seen as technical and mundane. Recommended.”

School Library Connection

“Older readers with a fascination for cities planning, global history and those looking for a research text will find a wealth of information in this book…Ogawa provides playful, expressive illustration alongside beautiful global photography on every page…Readers will look forward to future nonfiction ecological endeavours by Clendenan.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“Fascinating…Ebullient...A thought-provoking guide to the past, present, and future of cities.”

Kirkus Reviews

“Full of engaging facts...A colorful combination of photographs, cartoon illustrations, and infographics provides plenty of visuals in this appealing look at human history.”

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