 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming
Common Sense Media says
Green teens may want fewer facts, more activism ideas.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book on global warming contains almost exactly the same information as the documentary An Inconvenient Truth. A few images -- like those from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina -- are disturbing, but the really upsetting part for kids will be that they get 166 pages of dire scientific evidence followed by just one brief chapter (#15) of ways people can impact the earth for the better. Parents may want to tackle this important subject with tweens more carefully than how it's presented here -- perhaps referring to chapter 15 every two or three chapters. A related website provides additional tips and reading.
What's the story?
Al Gore offers evidence of global warming, calling it a "climate crisis" and detailing how it will affect the planet and its inhabitants.
Is it any good?
If you saw the documentary An Inconvenient Truth and were left feeling overwhelmed by what could be in store for our fragile planet and our fellow humans, now you can pass that feeling on to your kids. The content here is basically the same, generously illustrated with Gore's slides. What the publisher failed to grasp in the repurposing process was that kids need a different approach. You don't have to dumb the message down, but you don't have to spend all your time trying to convince them with graph after graph, either -- they're already much greener than the older generations.
Blink and you'll miss the brief mentions in Chapter 15 of alternative forms of power, fluorescent lightbulbs, green roofs, hybrid cars, and hydrogen fuel-cell buses. After that, a two-page spread (out of 190 total pages) encourages everyone to take action: Ride your bike, recycle, turn off lights, spread the word. Kids may find the book alarming and overwhelming -- and need proactive parents to present the content with a hopeful tone.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about where they stand on this issue and their concerns for the planet. Does this book and its warnings worry you? If so, what's the best way to deal with your concerns?
The current youth generation is already very aware of envirmnemental issues. Does the activism section go far enough or would you have liked a wider variety of ideas?
What can you start doing now to help the environment? Check out the activism tips from this website.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
WORST MOVIE EVER TO BE CREATED
THIS IS THE MOST BORING MOVIE EVER CREATED. I FELL ASLEEP AFTER THE FIRST MINUTE, AND IT WAS 2 IN THE AFTERNOON!
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Teen, 14 years old
April 19, 2011
AGE
Well, considering the fact that I'm one of those crazy Conservative Republicans, who doesn't believe in "Global Warming", I think this is the stupidest book ever put on the market. But that's just me ;)
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| Author: | Al Gore |
| Book type: | Non-Fiction |
| Genre: | Science |
| Publisher: | Viking |
| Publication date: | April 10, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 191 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 11 - 11 |
| Read alone: | 11 - 11 |
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