Nature Out of Balance

January 1, 2021

Gr 3-6-This latest series entry provides a thorough overview of invasive species and how they impact the ecosystems into which they are introduced. Compelling real-life examples from around the world show the consequences of introducing a plant, insect, or animal into an environment where it is not native. The brief stories and explanations invite readers to think more critically about the living beings in their own communities. The text concludes with concrete actions that readers can take to avoid and combat the effects of invasive species. The attractive design features "Invasive All-Stars" sections and short "Eco-Fact" sidebars. There are a mix of stock photos, historical and scientific images, and photos obtained from conservation and environmental management groups. While many of the scientists and volunteers depicted are white, there are also some children of color. One photo shows a young person working on pulling invasive plants while using a motorized wheelchair. Back matter includes a resource list, an index, and a glossary. VERDICT A high-quality introduction to a topic not often covered in books for middle graders.-Sarah Reid, Four County Lib. Syst., NY

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2020
Young readers are introduced to non-native invasive species: what they are and how they are affecting ecosystems around the world. This nonfiction science title contains four chapters, leading readers from an understanding of what an invasive species is and how it overtakes new areas, through how systems work and are affected by newcomers, then the complications involved in efforts to control the spread of invasive species, and finally to a look at how humans can work with the reality of environmental change. Each chapter is divided into short sections that provide bursts of useful information, and spreads are enhanced with small "eco-facts," well-captioned photographs, and frequent half-page featurettes on "invasive all-stars": specific species, such as domestic cats, that have changed regions with their rapid spread and notable environmental effects. Making sure to include humans as one of the Earth's most dramatic invasive species and greatest vectors of spreading others, Wilcox places the topic in historical context, including the spread of diseases such as smallpox during settler colonialism and mentioning the roles of the Industrial Revolution and capitalism on the human population and use of natural resources. The choice to include a photo of a White woman with a "build the wall" sign to illustrate xenophobia rather than, for instance, those who rally for immigrants' rights, may have the effect of distressing young targets of xenophobia. The reasonably short sections are clear and engaging, and the balance of hope against the potentially stressful subject leaves readers informed and energized rather than defeated. Handy and lucid, this slim volume makes an important topic digestible. (resources, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 9-13)

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