This Book Stinks!: Gross Garbage, Rotten Rubbish, and the Science of Trash

Gr 4–7—Dive into one of the most pressing ecological issues facing our planet—trash! This engaging title takes readers through the facts and figures of refuse and recycling: what we throw out, where it goes, and what we can do to lighten our litter load. A focus on our global garbage habits, including trash's impact on everything from oceans to outer space, will open the minds of young ecologists to this hot-button topic. Full-color pages text accompanied by photographs, with many informational spreads featuring eye-catching charts and diagrams. Some readers may find the vibrant neon coloration of some pages overwhelming, but overall the eclectic layout helps to bring a stinky subject to life. With a table of contents, bold headings on each page, and an index, this is a useful resource for researchers. The design, which calls to mind many a records book, also makes this a strong recommendation for recreational reading. The content is enhanced by interviews, intermittent quizzes that reinforce as well as entertain, a word scramble, and an entire section dedicated to how-tos on upcycling, composting, and more. There's even a recipe for sour milk pancakes!