Hot Topic: The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon

An entertaining but serious book for kids on climate change is already generating its share of praise and controversy. The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming (Scholastic, 2007) neither oversimplifies nor obfuscates the interconnected factors contributing to climate change. Aimed at elementary and middle school readers, the book deals with the serious problems caused by changes in average temperature and rainfall with humor, hope, and plenty of photos and graphics.

Whether we can agree that humans have a major role in the earth's rapid warming trends or not, there is no supportable argument against doing what we can to avoid adding to a problem with an as yet unforeseeable outcome. The authors point out practical actions, such as unplugging phone chargers and other appliances when not in use, and it's hard to argue that consuming electricity for no purpose is a good thing! David and Gordon include a glossary and generous bibliography, including relevant websites for student use.

Another kid-friendly guide to significant and easy ways to conserve energy and protect the environment is 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth.