WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: This Book Stinks! by Sarah Wassner Flynn

THIS BOOK STINKS!

Gross Garbage, Rotten Rubbish, and the Science of Trash

by Sarah Wassner Flynn

National Geographic Kids, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-4263-2730-8

Source: Media Masters Publicity

Middle grade nonfiction

Ages 9-12

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Get up close and personal with a wonderful world of waste. From composting and recycling, to landfills and dumps, to how creative people are finding new ways to reuse rubbish. It's fun to talk trash when it's jam-packed with infographics, thematic spreads, wow-worthy photos, sidebars, serious stats, and fabulous facts. Also included are quizzes and activities to inspire kids to take action, be proactive, and rethink the things we throw away.

REVIEW

I had no idea garbage and recycling could be so fascinating.  The facts in the book are both intriguing and horrifying at the same time.  Just thinking of the amount of waste human beings produce is mind-boggling.  On the other hand, the efforts being made to lower the waste created through composting, recycling, and other programs gives hope.  The book is divided into seven chapters:

1. The Bin and Beyond
2. Trashing the Earth
3. All about Recycling
4. Food (Waste) for Thought
5. Dirty Work
6. The Future of Garbage
7. Take Out the Trash

There are articles about people making a difference as well as creative uses of garbage. Infographics provide quick glimpses into junk in space, the most garbage producing nations, as well as facts about recycling and food waste.  Brief quizzes and suggestions for contributing to the effort to reduce waste are also included.  This is an important and eye-opening book for young readers.  It would also make a great text for environmental studies classes.  The illustrations are eye-catching if not always appealing (it is garbage after all).