In this young readers adaptation of the New York Times-bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning The Sixth Extinction, Elizabeth Kolbert tells us why and how human beings have altered life on the planet in a way no species has before.
Over the last half-billion years, there have been five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists around the world are monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs.
"[Kolbert] says people think that to prevent the sixth extinction they need to care more and make sacrifices, but 'It doesn't much matter if people care or don't care. What matters is that people change the world.' After reading her lively, entertaining, and very accessible book, young readers will be inspired to try."
Booklist (starred review)
"Highly expressive and vividly detailed writing conveys the tragedy that humanity is bringing on itself. . . Essential for science discussions on mass extinctions to challenge advanced middle grade readers."
