Going Blue: A Teen Guide to Saving Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, & Wetlands by Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A., with Philippe Cousteau

Bibliographic Information: Berger, C. (2010). Going Blue: A Teen Guide to Saving Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, & Wetlands. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing and EarthEcho International.  ISBN: 1575423480.  128 pages.

Plot/Content Summary: “71% of Earth’s surface is covered by oceans…Our bodies on average consist of 70% water.”  From the planet to each one of our cells, water is important, essential, and under threat.  Going Blue follows a “service learning” model to provide the information tweens and teens can use to make a difference in the movement to protect Earth’s waters.  The service learning model of Going Blue is comprised of five “stages” that take its readers from where they are now to becoming stewards of the earth’s water.  The stages are:

1. Find Out & Investigate
2. Dive In & Prepare
3. Get Going & Act
4. Think Back & Reflect
5. Tell It & Demonstrate

Each stage contains a description of the state and true stories of young people making a difference and demonstrating the actions of that particular stage.  The book is in full color and looks almost magazine-like in its design.  It includes sidebars, bios of earth scientists, charts, illustrations, and beautiful photographs.  How can we save Earth’s precious water resources?  Can you make a difference?

Critical Evaluation: Beautiful, accessible and packed-full of information, Going Blue is an in-depth guide to Earth’s waters.  Dense with facts, but accessible for teens, Going Blue provides ideas, resources, and, maybe most importantly, food for thought.  The service learning model, that the book both explains and follows, creates a natural path for readers to take in order to actually be able to make a difference in their own way.  Its magazine-like appearance and beautiful colorful images and spreads make it as visually appealing, as it is informative and empowering.  Below is an example of the inside of the book.

Reader’s Annotation: Beautiful, accessible and packed-full of information, Going Blue: A Teen Guide to Saving Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, & Wetlands is an in-depth guide to Earth’s waters.

Information about the Author: Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A. is an expert in service learning, civic responsibility, and student leadership.  She consults internationally about service learning and is a former classroom teacher.

Genre/Category: Non-Fiction

Themes: Science, Water, Environment, Environmental Stewardship, Service Learning

Topics Covered: Environmentalism, Water Pollution, Oceans, Rivers, Wetlands, Lakes, Trash, Habitats, Conservation, Wildlife

Curriculum Ties: Science, Earth Science, Earth’s water systems, Civic Responsibility

Booktalking Ideas:

• “71% of Earth’s surface is covered by oceans…Our bodies on average consist of 70% water.”  From the planet to each one of our cells, water is important, essential, and under threat.
• If you could maybe make a difference, would you try?

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 13 – 19

Challenge Issues: No obvious challenge issues.  In the event that the book is challenged, one can refer to the library’s collection development policies.

Why is this book included? The environment is getting a lot of attention these days, and it is important that there are books accessible for teens that can give them some information and perspective on environmental issues.  This book specifically talks about the various waters of the earth, an important topic within environmental discussions.  Additionally, this book introduces the concept of civic responsibility and taking action to make the world a better place, something many teens are interested in, but may not necessarily know how to accomplish.