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Urgent Message from a Hot Planet

Navigating the Climate Crisis

by Ann Eriksson

illustrated by Belle Wuthrich

Publisher
Orca Book Publishers
Publication date
Jan 2022
Subjects
English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies. Environmental Sciences, Science for Citizens, Specialized Science
Grade Levels
5 to 12
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781459826342
    Publish Date
    Jan 2022
    List Price
    $21.99
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781459826328
    Publish Date
    Jan 2022
    List Price
    $26.95

Where to buy it

Descriptive Review

“The people who have been effected the most, are those least responsible for climate change problems . . . ” A local biologist and author, Eriksson’s burning question is: How can we talk about climate disasters with kids and not “freak them out”? Share the truth: “It’s real. It’s now. It’s bad. Experts agree it’s caused by us.” There’s still time to fix it, and action breeds hope. Vibrant charts, illustrations, and photos complement the research to help students process, better understand, and act. Recent global statistics and research from climate scientists balance realistic and inspiring wisdom. She answers many “Burning Questions” such as: What can we do about climate migrants? What about Climate Deniers? Eriksson honours the powerful voices of Indigenous Peoples, climate scientists, professors, political leaders, environmentalists, artists, and citizens. She features the voices of today’s youth, who share their heartfelt poetry, stories, and artwork, revealing that “taking action, no matter how small, works.” Highly recommended for all school libraries.

Other End Matter: Word from the author, Acknowledgements, Glossary, resources, photo credits
Images: Colour photographs, Colour illustrations, b&w illustrations
Bibliography: Yes
Index: Yes

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

About the authors

Novelist and biologist Ann Eriksson combines her background in ecology with her life experiences to create works of fiction populated with rich characters and grounded in nature. She is the author of the novels In the Hands of Anubis(2009), Decomposing Maggie(2003) and Falling from Grace(2010), which received the Independent Publisher Book Awards Silver Medal for Western Canadian Fiction. Ann was born in Saskatchewan and grew up in the Canadian Prairie provinces, eventually migrating to the West Coast in the late seventies.

Ann Eriksson's profile page

Belle Wuthrich is an illustrator and designer specializing in books for young readers. Based in Vancouver, Belle has contributed to more than a dozen books for kids, a number of which have won awards or been republished internationally, including the Montaigne Medal Award–winning Eyes and Spies: How You’re Tracked and Why You Should Know and the Silver Birch Award nominee Eat Up: An Infographic Exploration of Food.

Belle Wuthrich's profile page

Awards

  • Commended, Children’s Book Council Best STEM Books List
  • Commended, Top Grade: CanLit for the Classroom
  • Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection
  • Commended, Ontario Library association (OLA) Best Bets
  • Commended, The Globe 100

Editorial Reviews

“An antidote to the crushing question that dogs many of us, but young people even more acutely – ‘What can I do about it?’ – this richly illustrated book not only explains the climate crisis in clear, engaging language, but also offers concrete plans of action.”

The Globe and Mail

“This is a no-nonsense, make you feel better read. This is a call to action that points a path for change. Recommended for every library and science classroom.”

Children's Literature

“An excellent choice for students…Hopeful but realistic…I recommend this purchase for all middle school and high school libraries.”

School Library Connection

“Prompts and steadies readers’ immersion into these complexities, and they will linger over the illuminating, relatable stories and works by teen environmental activists…Recommended for teens looking for facts about climate change or for those who ­understand the consequences ­already and are committed to environment activism.”

School Library Journal

“Makes a clear case for taking action to keep from feeling hopeless in the face of issues that seem impossible...This is an important read for teens looking for real scientific facts about climate change. It also provides fire for those wanting to make changes.”

Sal's Fiction Addiction

“Comprehensive…For young readers who want a deeper understanding of the climate crisis.”

Booklist

“Urgent Message From a Hot Planet, with its powerful and urgent message, is a must-read. Guaranteed to spur some readers to action, it is both frightening and hopeful. Highly Recommended.”

CM Reviews

“A heartfelt plea for all of us to do our bit…Stands out from other books on the subject because it is not afraid to point a finger at the root cause of global warming and other instances of environmental degradation.”

Montreal Serai

“I encourage any interested youth – and their parents – to read this book. It is an amazing achievement – comprehensive and informative, stretching from climate science to the intersecting issues of inequality and racism. Ultimately, it is a toolbox for hope.”

Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament, Saanich-Gulf Islands and former leader of the Green Party of Canada

“[An] accessible first-person narrative that makes space for emotions as well as scientific facts and figures...A well-researched and emotionally impactful call to make choices that revitalize nature and our planet.”

Kirkus Reviews