Rachel Carson (Up Close) - Softcover

Levine, Ellen S.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0142410462 ISBN 13: 9780142410462

Publisher: Puffin Books, 2008

Synopsis

Rachel Carson combined her love of science and writing in her award-winning and controversial book Silent Spring. Revealing the dangers of pesticide use, it brought readers a new awareness of humankind?s contamination of the environment and ultimately led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.

About this title

About the Author:

Ellen S. Levine is a web producer, writer, editor, and consultant in marketing and publicity.

From School Library Journal:

Starred Review. Grade 6–9—Levine describes how Carson's childhood, strong relationship with a supportive mother, and lifelong love of nature influenced her decision to become a biologist and later made her an environmental pioneer. The author draws on numerous primary sources to document the scientist's life and provides considerable information about her education and early career as well as the work that made her famous. She details how Carson's determination helped her overcome many obstacles, including financial struggles, gender discrimination, and family crises, and describes her long and courageous battle with the cancer that ended her life. Levine also analyzes how the woman's work contributed to a greater public understanding of the dangers of pollutants and became the impetus for the environmental movement and related federal laws. Levine is admiring of her subject; she includes a quote comparing the impact of Carson's work with that of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, which President Lincoln credited with starting the Civil War. Average-quality black-and-white photos supplement the text and there are extensive notes and an annotated bibliography with a wide variety of sources. This book provides more detail about Carson's personal life than George Shea's Rachel Carson: Founder of the Environmental Movement (Gale, 2005), which is shorter and more focused on her career and impact on environmentalism. This is an excellent choice for those who want to learn more about the woman behind the legend.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO
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About this edition

• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0142410462
• ISBN 13: 9780142410462
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224