Examining Geothermal Energy. (Examining Canadian Energy). Lewis Atchison. Collingwood, ON: Saunders Book Co., 2015. 48 pp., pbk., hc. & html, $13.95 (pbk.), $26.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-77092-279-2 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-77092-271-6 (hc.), ISBN 978-1-77092-287-7 (html). Subject Heading: Geothermal resources-Canada-Juvenile literature. Grades 5-8 / Ages 10-13. Review by Andrew Laudicina. *** /4
	Examining Nuclear Energy. (Examining Canadian Energy). Anne Garcia. Collingwood, ON: Saunders Book Co., 2015. 48 pp., pbk., hc. & html, $13.95 (pbk.), $26.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-77092-281-5 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-77092-273-0 (hc.), ISBN 978-1-77092-289-1 (html). Subject Heading: Nuclear energy-Canada-Juvenile literature. Grades 5-8 / Ages 10-13. Review by Andrew Laudicina. *** /4
	Examining Natural Gas. (Examining Canadian Energy). Laura Clifford. Collingwood, ON: Saunders Book Co., 2015. 48 pp., pbk., hc. & html, $13.95 (pbk.), $26.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-77092-280-8 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-77092-272-3 (hc.), ISBN 978-1-77092-288-4 (html). Subject Heading: Natural gas-Canada-Juvenile literature. Grades 5-8 / Ages 10-13. Review by Andrew Laudicina. *** /4
	Examining Biofuels. (Examining Canadian Energy). Jim Levine. Collingwood, ON: Saunders Book Co., 2015. 48 pp., pbk., hc. & html, $13.95 (pbk.), $26.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-77092-278-5 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-77092-270-9 (hc.), ISBN 978-1-77092-286-0 (html). Subject Heading: Biomass energy-Canada-Juvenile literature. Grades 5-8 / Ages 10-13. Review by Andrew Laudicina. *** /4
	Examining Oil and Coal. (Examining Canadian Energy). Jim Levine. Collingwood, ON: Saunders Book Co., 2015. 48 pp., pbk., hc. & html, $13.95 (pbk.), $26.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-77092-282-2 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-77092-274-7 (hc.), ISBN 978-1-77092-290-7 (html). Subject Headings: Petroleum as fuel-Canada-Juvenile literature. Coal-Canada-Juvenile literature. Grades 5-8 / Ages 10-13. Review by Andrew Laudicina. *** /4
	Examining Water Power. (Examining Canadian Energy). Anne Garcia. Collingwood, ON: Saunders Book Co., 2015. 48 pp., pbk., hc. & html, $13.95 (pbk.), $26.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-77092-284-6 (pbk.), ISBN 978 1-77092-276-1 (hc.), ISBN 978-1-77092-292-1 (html). Subject Headings: Water power-Canada-Juvenile literature. Grades 5-8 / Ages 10-13. Review by Andrew Laudicina. *** /4

excerpt:

Most older coal plants can be bad for the environment. Ms. Jackson explains. “Think about it this way—if you were cleaning your room at 100 percent efficiency, it would take you an hour. If you were cleaning it at 1 percent efficiency, it would take you 100 hours. New technology can help make plants more efficient.” Ms. Jackson adds, “But adapting older plants to new technology will be expensive.” (From Examining Oil and Coal.)

The books of the “Examining Canadian Energy” series included in this review help piece together the complicated landscape of power generation past, present, and future. Hypothetical narratives, centred on the dealings of young environmentally conscious students, drive the text forward. Each of these scenarios whisks readers away to locales across the globe in search of scientists, educators, engineers, and CEOs who are tasked to impart their own special brand of energy expertise.

     Although the subject matter is complex, the explanations put forward are easy to follow given the uncomplicated age-specific prose utilized throughout. The comprehension of critical themes and concepts is aided by the use of numerous examples and analogies (see excerpt). Narrative cohesion (i.e., style and tone) across all books is maintained, despite the fact that writing duties are shared among four different authors. Overall, the series is expertly executed, although, perhaps a bit mechanical in its approach. The repetitive nature of the format may prove too tedious for students charged with reading the series in rapid succession.

     Nevertheless, the “Examining Canadian Energy” series is ideally suited to guide classroom lessons or, alternatively, it’s a valuable resource for use as a primer for older grades looking for context. Learning along these lines is supported with a glossary of relevant terms, an activity page, and a bibliography of books and weblinks to encourage further reading. Each book also concludes with a chapter devoted to reviewing critical points of discussion which promote critical thinking.

     The lone caveat: throughout the entire eight book series, the notion of conservation is rarely entertained, which is potentially problematic given its importance in any meaningful discussion of building a sustainable energy future for Canada. Realistically, an entire book could have been devoted to the subject of energy conservation.

Recommended.

Andrew Laudicina, a MLIS graduate from the University of Western Ontario in London, currently resides in Windsor, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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