Synopses & Reviews
Written by service learning expert Cathryn Berger Kaye and celebrity ocean spokesperson Philippe Cousteau, Going Blue educates young people about the earth’s water crisis and gives them tools and inspiration to transform their ideas into action. With lively photos and practical suggestions, the book helps teens plan and do a meaningful service project that benefits our planet’s water system. Along the way, readers learn about issues such as clean water access, coral reef damage, runoff pollution, trash islands, factory fishing, bottled water, and much more. This combination of academic learning and community service is at the heart of the fast-growing teaching strategy known as service learning.
Going Blue is divided into the five stages of service learning: investigation, preparation, action, reflection, and demonstration. Special sections include a history of ocean exploration with a profile of Jacques Cousteau; an interview with Philippe Cousteau; stories of young people around the world addressing water issues; book and Web resources; and an afterword for adults.
Review
“Following in his grandfather's footsteps, Philippe Cousteau leads a modern, passionate, and inspiring call to action to protect the planet’s most precious resource—water. With Going Blue, he and Cathryn Berger Kaye have developed a motivational and active guide that helps young readers understand the fragility and importance of our oceans and waterways. It will inspire all to live differently.”
—Laura Michalchyshyn, President and General Manager of Planet Green, Discovery Health, and FitTV
Review
“Kaye and Cousteau have given us a call to action. All forms of life as we know it depend upon our oceans and waterways. Saving them is not a matter of good will; it is imperative for our survival.” —Laurie David, Author of The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming
Review
“Saving our water planet requires the full engagement of young people. Going Blue is just the map needed to show them the way—translating concern into relevant, powerful action. As Kaye and Cousteau emphasize early in this important guide, there is no greater threat to our oceans than increasing CO2 in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and ocean acidification. If you’re ready to do more than just talk about reducing your carbon footprint, this is the book for you.”
—Harriet Sanford, President and CEO, National Education Association Foundation
Review
2011 Nautilus Gold Award winner
Review
“Not just another book about the environment, this volume . . . [has] outstanding features [that] include fact-filled sidebars, stories about scientists, full-color charts, and an abundance of high-quality photos . . . Instructors will find this to be a valuable resource for planning active learning exercises.”—School Library Journal (starred review)
Review
2010 ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Award Winner
Review
“Each packed spread combines clearly explained scientific concepts with lists, diagrams, and eye-opening statistics . . . color photos deliver a high impact . . . With a balance of sobering facts and inspiring accounts of communities creating real change, this welcome title will attract a broad range of student researchers, casual readers, and committed activists, who will particularly benefit from the extensive resource lists.”—Booklist
Review
“One of the Top 10 Books on the Environment for Youth (2011).”—Booklist
Review
“[A] valuable how-to manual for [anyone] wishing to protect our precious resource of water.”—VOYA
Review
100 Best Children’s Products—Dr. Toy
10 Best Socially Responsible Products—Dr. Toy
Review
“Going Blue is an essential book for teens, parents, teachers, and everyone who cares about the future of the planet. A must-read.”—Dan Buettner, New York Times Best-Selling Author of The Blue Zones and Thrive
Review
“Going Blue is an inspiring call to action for youth around the world.”—Roots & Shoots, a program of the Jane Gooddall Institute
About the Author
“Not just another book about the environment, this volume . . . [has] outstanding features [that] include fact-filled sidebars, stories about scientists, full-color charts, and an abundance of high-quality photos . . . Instructors will find this to be a valuable resource for planning active learning exercises.”—School Library Journal (starred review)
“Not to be missed for the environmentally conscious.”—Midwest Book Review: Children’s Bookwatch: Environmental Studies Shelf
100 Best Children’s Products—Dr. Toy
10 Best Socially Responsible Products—Dr. Toy
“Kaye and Cousteau have set the stage for active involvement of young people in the preservation of their oceans and their planet. It doesn’t get much more important than that.”—Robert Shumer, Ph.D., Information for Action: A Journal for Service-Learning Research with Children and Youth
“[A] valuable how-to manual for [anyone] wishing to protect our precious resource of water.”—VOYA
“Kaye and Cousteau have given us a call to action. All forms of life as we know it depend upon our oceans and waterways. Saving them is not a matter of good will; it is imperative for our survival.” —Laurie David, Author of The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming
“Going Blue is an essential book for teens, parents, teachers, and everyone who cares about the future of the planet. A must-read.”—Dan Buettner, New York Times Best-Selling Author of The Blue Zones and Thrive
“If we truly want to save and protect our water planet for future generations, then we must empower youth with the knowledge, technology, and tools to become tomorrow’s change agents. The good news is that Cathryn Berger Kaye and Philippe Cousteau’s Going Blue: A Teen Guide to Saving Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, & Wetlands offers young people an easy-to-read guidebook that energizes and empowers an entire generation to take part in sustainable activities that benefit and ultimately save our environment.” —Lori McFarling, CMO, Discovery Education