Should Canada Build Pipelines in the United States? (Canadian Issues). Steve Goldsworthy. Calgary, AB: Weigl, 2013. 48 pp., pbk. & hc., $14.95 (pbk.), $27.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-77071-231-7 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-77071-217-1 (hc.). Subject Headings: Pipelines-Canada-Juvenile literature. Pipelines-United States-Juvenile literature. Grades 6-8 / Ages 11-13. Review by Betsy Fraser. ** /4

excerpt:

Almost one quarter of the United States' imported oil comes from Canada. The majority of that oil comes from Canada. The majority of that oil travels through pipelines. According to experts, pipelines are still the safest way to transport oil from Canada to the United States. Pipeline leaks are usually very small. Most involve fewer than three barrels of oil. Of the billions of gallons of crude oil transported through thousands of kilometres of pipeline, 80 percent of spills involve fewer than 50 barrels of oil.

Should Canada Build Pipelines in the United States?, a volume in Weigl's "Canadian Issues" series, is intended to present straightforward information for both the "Yes" and "No" debate sides of the Keystone XL pipelines issue. The flip book format is used to give readers a double-page spread for the background, position, arguments, statistics, players, and a potential outcome on each side. As well, both sides are supplemented with an additional opening page and activities.

      The "Yes" argument begins with a discussion of the demand for oil, followed by a discussion of the stability of Canada as a source, as well as the positive relationship between Canada and the United States and the benefits of job creation. Impacts of creating the pipeline are also mentioned. Downsides in the "No" argument include environmental risks. Readers will find historical data, pictures of existing pipelines, previous oil spills, an argument for alternate sources of energy, and the impact of rejecting the pipeline.

      Readers may find information, such as the names of environmentalists or Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, helpful in preparing reports or debates. When creating a book largely intended for students, a downside to the flip book format is the lack of any further resources or citations for any of the included information. Should Canada Build Pipelines in the United States? is a supplemental purchase for classrooms and libraries looking for material on environmental issues or classroom reports.

Recommended with reservations.

Elizabeth Fraser is a librarian with the Calgary Public Library and the author of Reality Rules II: A Guide to Nonfiction Reading Interests (Libraries Unlimited, 2012).

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

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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