The Forest in the Sea: Seaweed Solutions to Planetary Problems (Books for a Better Earth)

by Anita Sanchez (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Meet an unlikely climate change hero: the wet, slimy stuff known as seaweed.

Imagine forests where you can float weightlessly among schools of fish. Huge green pastures where sea turtles graze. Forests that capture carbon from seawater and breathe out oxygen. The answers to many of our planet’s problems may lie underwater, in these forests of seaweed.

Celebrated nonfiction author Anita Sanchez takes readers on a tour of seaweed forests, from the Sargasso Sea to seaweed patches off Prince Edward Island, to explore how seaweed supports marine ecosystems and plays a big role in climate change solutions. From reducing methane emissions to advances in biofuels, medicines, and more, seaweed science is at the forefront of innovation.

Written with beauty and wonder, The Forest in the Sea encourages readers to think outside the box when it comes to climate change. Back matter includes recipes, activities, ways to identify and help protect seaweed, and more.Books for a Better Earth are designed to inspire children to become active, knowledgeable participants in caring for the planet they live on.

Books for a Better Earth are designed to inspire children to become active, knowledgeable participants in caring for the planet they live on.
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Hardcover
$22.99

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Kirkus

Starred Review
Fact-loving, sea-loving, science-loving, and just plain curious readers will find much to chew over here.

ALA/Booklist

Starred Review
The conversational writing is casual and captivating, and the appealing elements of colored text blocks, fascinating asides, and carefully condensed chapters makes all the information easily digestible. . . . An inspiring and expansive introduction well worth diving into.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6--Wet, slimy seaweed, one of the oldest life forms on Earth, could be one of the keys to saving the planet, according to this slim but enlightening text. The saltwater algae provides food and shelter for countless living things and produces more oxygen than all the planet's land forests put together. Readers are introduced to different types of seaweed forests from all over Earth, each one integral to the world's survival. Almost half of the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere comes from oceanic phytoplankton. They are even responsible for removing carbon dioxide, one of the main pollutants causing the worst effects of climate change, from the atmosphere. The friendly, accessible text will give tweens the feeling that they're being taught by their cool biology teacher. Kids will encounter terms like aquaculture and discover the effects of farting cows and defecating whales on the environment. The dynamic design features jaw-dropping photos, catchy chapter headings, and lots of white space. Informative, brightly colored sidebars are integrated well onto the page and offer close-ups of all kinds of seaweed. Back matter includes a glossary, time lines, bibliography, source notes, and suggestions for how young people can help seaweed flourish, thereby helping to stem climate change. VERDICT A fascinating work about the importance of a seemingly simple life form with a gigantic impact, this is a strong choice for middle grade collections.--Shelley M. Diaz

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

★ "Conversationally addressing readers, Sanchez adeptly conveys fascinating facts ("seaweed is as different from land plants as a bird is from a fish") about her subject. Short sentences, accessible vocabulary, lively comparisons (e.g., drawing parallels between sea and avian predators like sharks and hawks), and revelations—like learning that seaweed affects even those who don't live right by the ocean because it sustains air and water and provides food—will keep readers absorbed.... Fact-loving, sea-loving, science-loving, and just plain curious readers will find much to chew over here."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"A fascinating work about the importance of a seemingly simple life form with a gigantic impact, this is a strong choice for middle grade collections."—School Library Journal
Anita Sanchez
Anita Sanchez is an award-winning children's nonfiction author. Her books have been named Junior Library Guild selections and have received many recognitions including, the William Allen White Master List, Cook Prize Honor Book, SONWA Award Notable Book, Finalist for AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, and the American Horticultural Society "Growing Good Kids" Award. She lives in upstate New York.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780823450138
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Holiday House
Publication date
February 21, 2023
Series
Books for a Better Earth
BISAC categories
JUV000000 - Juvenile Fiction | General
Library of Congress categories
Climatic changes
Climatic factors
Climate change mitigation
Marine algae
Ecophysiology
Seaweed

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