Gr 5--7--With a tone that is eager to share serious information without terrifying readers, this book provides the necessary background and inspiration to spur upper elementary-age children to environmental action. Bite-size chunks of text, a multitude of photographs, and occasional full-color illustrations lay out the imperatives of clean air, fresh water, and healthy soil for all life on Earth. An overview of how the development of farming and then industry have led to climate change sets the stage for discussion of how intertwined human rights and climate justice have become. The author explains how courts, laws, and provisions in national constitutions have been used to deter further threats to nature, and, by extension, to humankind. Inspiring case studies of citizen action, frequently led by young people, demonstrate a variety of approaches to environmental activism. VERDICT Richly supported with stories and "You Be the Judge" sidebars that illustrate the challenging choices in fighting for environmental rights, this thought-provoking book offers a solid foundation for further exploration of the topic.--Jan Aldrich Solow

Clendenan lucidly and compellingly makes the case for environmental health as a human right. This comprehensive primer is organized into four chapters. First, the problems are outlined: overuse of water and other natural resources, air pollution, poisoned water, and climate change. Various global examples, involving failures of infrastructure, government, and due process, are cited to demonstrate how crimes against nature are also human rights violations. The second chapter traces humankind's evolving awareness of the need for environmental laws and regulations by reviewing pivotal developments of the last 70 years. Nearly 200 countries now have various kinds of legal protections, but laws need to be enforced; so, the third chapter describes important environmental rights court cases and international accords. The powerful closing chapter profiles real-life young changemakers employing legal and collective action to demand clean air, water, and soil. Straightforward exposition is presented in digestible chunks with clear subheadings. Fact boxes and colored sidebars round off the information presented in the text. Spreads are enhanced with an effective meld of full-color illustrations and well-captioned photographs. A forceful and informative handbook on environmental justice, accessible enough to strike a chord with young readers. (index, glossary, resource list) (Nonfiction. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Clendenan's introduction to environmental inequalities and rights opens with how these became personal for her when, as a child, her family's water wasn't reliably drinkable. This and other experiences led the author to ask, "Do we have the right to a healthy environment? And if we don't, what can we do?" In answering these questions, this attractive text explains the benefits of clean air and water and the problems created by pollution, drawing attention to things children will be familiar with. She then gets into action, reassuring readers that they have rights and offering case studies of how people worldwide have fought for environmental justice. Throughout the book, large photos and illustrations of environmental hot spots and those helping to keep them clean break up the text, which can be visually dense. A list of ways young people can help recommends doable things like talking to your neighbors and collecting data about local environmental issues. A helpful glossary and list of books and websites closes the work. A worthy purchase where readers enjoy a personal approach to science instruction.