Justine McKeen, Queen of Green. (Orca Echoes). Sigmund Brouwer. Illustrated by Dave Whamond. Victoria BC: Orca Books, 2011. 56 pp., pbk., $6.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-927-8. Grades 2-4 / Ages 7-9. Review by Robert Groberman. *** /4 Reviewed from Advanced Reading Copy.

excerpt:

�No,� Justine said, �not to build our project. But to find a way to get Mr. Tait to become more green. My grammy said when you criticize people, it only makes them defend what they are doing, so it�s harder to change their habits. She said it�s much easier to get people on your side by asking them for help��

In Sigmund Brouwer�s early chapter book, Justine McKeen, Queen of Green, he creates a main character that is smart and persuasive. The local ice cream shop owner does not recycle his garbage. Justine, with her friends from school, creates a plan that will help him to see the error of his ways and get him to cooperate in a green project built in his parking lot.

      Justine and her friends have so much enthusiasm for reusing and recycling, and are so articulate in their message, even to a readership under nine-years-old, that readers of this book might find themselves looking for ways to recycle in their own lives. Illustrations by Dave Whamond convey the emotion and detail of the scene to help young readers to connect with what they are reading. His depiction of a pop-bottle greenhouse is especially helpful.

      At the end of this book, author Brouwer offers a number of ideas for readers to try if they want to �go green� on their own.

Recommended.

Robert Groberman is a grade two teacher at Kirkbride Elementary School in Surrey, BC.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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