Texts in this collection explore topics like climate change, energy, and humanity's place in the environment through a variety of genres, whether the science fiction of Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake or the scientific journalism of Dan Egan's The Death and Life of the Great Lakes.
Publication year 2017
Genre Novel, Fiction
Tags Children's Literature, Animals, Science / Nature, Magical Realism, Fantasy
Wishtree (2017) is a work of young adult fiction by Katherine Applegate. Directly addressing the bigotry and Islamophobia of the Trump era, the novel tackles the polarized American political climate by praising the value of diversity, tolerance, and compassion. Plot SummaryThis book’s narrator is a 216-year-old northern oak tree named Red. Red is a dioecious tree who has both male and female characteristics, so refers to themself with the pronoun “they.” The story takes place... Read Wishtree Summary
Publication year 1990
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Environment, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Tags Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Sports, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Science / Nature
Published in 1991, the adventure biography Woodsong recounts novelist Gary Paulsen’s experiences as a dogsled driver, including his participation in the Iditarod race across Alaska. He describes the hard-won lessons he learns, the strange and wondrous things he witnesses, and the love and admiration he feels for the dogs he trains with. Three-time Newbury Honor winner Paulsen wrote more than 200 works, most of them for middle-grade and young adult readers. His books often tell... Read Woodsong Summary
Publication year 2020
Genre Essay Collection, Nonfiction
Themes Natural World: Environment, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Tags Science / Nature, Animals
Publication year 2014
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Society: War
Tags Politics / Government, History: World, Science / Nature, Business / Economics, Philosophy, Philosophy
Publication year 2011
Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Nonfiction
Themes Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Food
Tags Children's Literature, Animals, Science / Nature, Food
Publication year 2009
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Life/Time: The Past, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology
Tags Science / Nature, History: U.S., Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World
Publication year 2014
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Identity: Mental Health, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology
Tags Self Help, Psychology, Health / Medicine, Religion / Spirituality, Science / Nature
Publication year 1962
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict
Tags Lyric Poem, Confessional, Science / Nature
Publication year 2008
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Tags Science / Nature, Animals, History: World, Anthropology, Anthropology
In his 2008 book Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body, paleontologist and biologist Neil Shubin explores the evolutionary history of various anatomical structures. As Shubin explores the histories of everything from our limbs to our eyes and ears, he shows how closely related humans are to all of Earth’s living creatures.The first two chapters of Your Inner Fish describe one of Shubin’s most important scientific contributions: the discovery... Read Your Inner Fish Summary
Publication year 2000
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos
Tags Science / Nature, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy, Biography
Publication year 2014
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology
Tags Business / Economics, Self Help, Leadership/Organization/Management, Science / Nature
Publication year 1966
Genre Short Story, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Jewish Literature, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Religion / Spirituality, Animals, Holidays & Occasions, Relationships, Science / Nature, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Classic Fiction