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Saving the Night

How Light Pollution Is Harming Life on Earth

by (author) Stephen Aitken

Publisher
Orca Book Publishers
Initial publish date
Mar 2023
Subjects
Science, English Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Levels
4 to 7
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781459831070
    Publish Date
    Mar 2023
    List Price
    $21.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781459831094
    Publish Date
    Mar 2023
    List Price
    $0.99

Where to buy it

Descriptive Review

When thinking about ways to care for the Earth, most students will have heard of turning off lights when they are not in use, but do they ever wonder why? Stephen Aitken's book describes how artificial light produced by electricity is disturbing the rhythms of life in the natural world and provides in-depth reasoning as to why it's important to flip off that switch. Students will learn about light in the natural world and the cycles of light and dark that living things rely on in their ecosystems. Building knowledge in this area helps students understand how complex global problems require international cooperation to make difficult choices for the future in Social Studies. Learning about ways to reduce light pollution gives students opportunities to be educated and engaged citizens who can make careful choices about how light is used in their own lives.

Other End Matter: Glossary, further suggestions of print and online resources provided
Images: Colour photographs
Bibliography: No
Index: Yes

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

About the author

Stephen Aitken is a biologist, artist and author. Despite an early brush with nyctophobia (fear of the dark), he became fascinated with bioluminescence while researching a book he wrote on the dangers of light pollution. He has written and illustrated many picture books, chapter books and close to a dozen nonfiction books for middle-grade readers, and he is the author of Saving the Night and Listen Up! in the Orca Footprints series. Stephen is the cofounder and executive secretary of Biodiversity Conservancy International and is the editorial director of the science journal Biodiversity.

Stephen Aitken's profile page

Awards

  • Long-listed, The Nature Generation Green Earth Book Award - Children’s Nonfiction
  • Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
  • Commended, Junior Library Guild (JLG) Gold Standard Selection

Editorial Reviews

“Flashes on a too often unconsidered sort of environmental pollution.”

Kirkus Reviews

“Richly described and alluring…Aitken urges his readers to be unafraid of the dark and after reading this excellent book, tweens will want to venture forth into the night without a flashlight.”

School Library Journal

“Invites middle graders interested in learning more about how light pollution is a threat to every living thing on the planet.”

Sal's Fiction Addiction

“This book gives us ways to love the night, and be part of the movement to keep darkness with us. The author shows how to be a part of a darker movement, for the betterment of all…A beautiful eye opener.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“Readers will be inspired to take notice and take actions…A wonderful new volume in the Footprints series.”

Erica Sommer, Baker & Taylor

“[An] informative addition to the Footprints series…This organized, involving book will fill a gap in many library collections.”

Booklist

“Both personal and poetic…A very comprehensive look at the role of light in the natural world and the effect of light pollution on all living organisms. This book deserves to be available and promoted in schools and libraries. Saving the night for all of us is worth it. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials