I Fuel: How Energy Powers Our Busy World

K-Gr 2--This is an ambitious attempt to explain where fuel comes from, how people use it, and some of the alternatives to fossil fuels. The graphic artwork is modern and appealing. The text is arranged in short pieces, which will make it appealing to younger students, but the concepts presented are complex and lack the specific nomenclature and thorough explanations to help readers fully understand the ideas. Many big processes are covered, from how fossil fuel deposits are formed, how they are taken out of the ground, how they are blended, turned into plastics, what happens when oil is spilled, as well as the creation of alternative sources of energy. Readers who are interested in fuel sources might do better seeking information about any single one of these topics, rather than the simplistic and sometimes confusing offerings here. VERDICT For graphic depictions of how humans get fuel, this is a fine collection of images, but the text will leave readers wanting more.--Debbie Tanner

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Scenes of smoking factories and a polluted beach follow, with glimpses of solar cells, a sugar cane field, and other, cleaner, types of alternative energy. In the final picture, a huge tanker ship drives home the titular point by looming over images of various types of predominantly gas guzzling vehicles actually in use today. Rich back matter adds detail and context.