Greta Thunberg (First Names)

by Tracey Turner (Author) Tom Knight (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: First Names

Meet the young Swedish activist who is standing up to climate change!

Before she was a well-known environmentalist activist, Greta was just a girl living in Stolkholm, Sweden. She first heard about climate change when she was only eight years old, and she couldn't understand why no one seemed to be doing anything about it. When she was 15 years old, she began spending her days outside the Swedish Parliament to call for action on climate change. She'd sit outside the whole school day with a sign that read "School strike for climate." Soon, other students began to follow Greta's lead and participate in similar protests, and together, these kids organized the Fridays for Future climate strike movement. Greta also is an inspiration to many because she has Asperger's Syndrome and is very open in talking about her diagnosis, further destigmatizing it. Today, Greta continues to fight for climate change--and continues to prove that you're never too young to make a difference!

First Names is a highly illustrated nonfiction series that puts readers on a first-name basis with some of the most incredible people in history and of today!

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School Library Journal

Gr 4-8--"I don't want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day. And then I want you to act. I want you to act as you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if the house was on fire. Because it is." Part of the "First Names" book series, this middle grade biography on Greta Thunberg truly shines. Greta's passion for planet Earth and the sense of urgency it creates, resonates strongly in this read. At the age of eight, Greta's world is turned upside down when she learns of global warming in class and what it's doing to the Earth. She's so upset that she falls into a deep depression and even stops eating. It is completely unfathomable to her how people can just carry on with life when the planet is in such distress. Greta's Asperger's Syndrome and being bullied by other students are touched upon, in addition to her activism with going on strike every Friday from school in order to spark a change. Inspired by Rosa Parks, Greta knew that she had to start somewhere, even if it only made a small difference. Fourteen million Instagram followers and many attendances at climate summits later, Greta is a household name. Black-and-white illustrations bring Greta's story to life and cover approximately 30 percent of each page. VERDICT A first purchase for every library shelf. Greta's example is proof to every young person that they do make a difference.--Tracy Cronce

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Tracey Turner
Tracey Turner is an author and editor and has written more than 70 books that cover a wide range of topics, including famous writers, breakthrough inventions, and deadly perils. She lives in Bath, England, with her partner and son.

Tom Knight is an illustrator and writer. When not drawing, he can be found trying to play various musical instruments or staring out at a boat in his front garden that he wishes he knew how to fix. He lives in England with his wife, Tabby, and his two sons, Archie and Seth.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781419737404
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Harry N. Abrams
Publication date
April 20, 2022
Series
First Names
BISAC categories
JNF007110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Social Activists
JNF037020 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Environmental Conservation & Protection
Library of Congress categories
Biographies
Women
Environmental protection
Sweden
Citizen participation
Child environmentalists
Thunberg, Greta

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