Earth Day and the Environment
(History Smashers)

As comprehensive as it is engaging.

This "History Smashers" installment explores the history of environmentalism in the United States from the beginnings of this country and leaders that worked to keep water clean, the true origin of the first Earth Day, to current efforts to combat climate change. While this book is informative and fast-paced overall, the very beginning reads more like a textbook refresher of elementary social studies that some younger readers might skim over, despite needing the background knowledge. Throughout each chapter are vignettes that feature detailed profiles of people, places, and animals discussed, along with lots of photos and illustrations/comics to bring the text to life. The "Changemakers' Yearbook" is another section that features environmentalists and their impact. Messner does not shy away from making it clear when injustices and racism were a part of efforts to help the environment, or how some efforts hindered poor and BIPOC groups from access to clean water and air. The back matter includes a time line of environmental history, author's note, several recommended book lists broken up by environmental topics, a selected bibliography, and an index. VERDICT A strong purchase for middle and high school collections needing more books on environmentalism and climate change.

Copyright 2025 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission. 

[P]rovides solid information, debunks a few climate-catastrophist claims, and should help assuage eco-anxiety.”