Books & Resources

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Books & Resources

This set of resources offers a range of titles and activities for children's books about environmental justice. Click on any resource to launch.

The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest

Read the story of Meg Lowman, a groundbreaking female scientist called a "real life Lorax" by National Geographic, who was determined to investigate the marvelous, undiscovered world of the rainforest treetops

The Leaf Detective: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for use before, during, and after reading

The Leaf Detective: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

Historic Figures Activity Guide for Grades 3-5

Activity guide supports books on historic figures for grades 3-5

The Leaf Detective: Guide For Families

Use this Discussion Guide before, during, and after reading with your child.

Alba and the Ocean Cleanup: A Story About Saving Our Oceans

Alba the fish likes to collect things, but those things are trash. That trash is changing her way of ocean life. Is it too late?

Alba and the Ocean Cleanup: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for use before, during, and after reading

Alba and the Ocean Cleanup: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

Alba and the Ocean Cleanup: Vocabulary Guide

Use this Vocabulary Guide to identify Tier 2 vocabulary words in the book

FAB Four Graphic Organizer

Printable graphic organizer to help students use the strategies of prediction, clarify, question, and summary to engage in text

Alba and the Ocean Cleanup: Guide For Families

Use this Discussion Guide before, during, and after reading with your child.

Fresh Air, Clean Water: Our Right to a Healthy Environment

What If your drinking water is dangerous, your air is polluted, and your soil is toxic? What can you do about that? Do you have the right to demand change?

Fresh Air, Clean Water: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for using before, during and after reading

Fresh Air, Clean Water: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

Time = Parts Graphic Organizer

Printable graphic organizer to help students break down a narrative nonfiction text into parts and identify the main idea of each part

Fresh Air, Clean Water: Guide For Families

Use this Discussion Guide before, during, and after reading with your child.

The Standing Rock Sioux Challenge the Dakota Access Pipeline

Explores the history, events, and aftermath of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribes protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline

The Standing Rock Sioux Challenge the Dakota Access Pipeline: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for using before, during and after reading

The Standing Rock Sioux Challenge the Dakota Access Pipeline: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

Time = Parts Graphic Organizer

Printable graphic organizer to help students break down a narrative nonfiction text into parts and identify the main idea of each part

Old Enough to Save the Planet

Meet 12 young activists from around the world who are speaking out and taking action against climate change

Old Enough to Save the Planet: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for use before, during, and after reading

Old Enough to Save the Planet: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

KWL Chart

Use this K-W-L chart individually or as a class to activate students’ thinking as they begin reading a new book

This Class Can Save the Planet

The book gives simple, straightforward advice on how to be more sustainable. It's a perfect book for Earth Day, Earth Month, or any other time of the year

This Class Can Save The Planet: Animated Read Aloud

This read-aloud book is great for Earth Month, Earth Day, and for teaching kids what they can do to help support the environment and save the planet

This Class Can Save the Planet: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

KWL Chart

Use this KWL chart individually or as a class to activate students’ thinking as they begin reading a new book

Imaginary Borders

Environmental activist and hip-hop artist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez uses his art and his activism to show that climate change is a human issue that can't be ignored

Imaginary Borders: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for using before, during and after reading

Imaginary Borders: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

STEM Exploration Activity Guide for 6-8

This activity guide supports STEM-related topics for grades 6-8

Hoot

A novel about a pancake house wanting to open a franchise in Florida, but the site is where endangered owls live. A newcomer to the neighborhood, Roy Eberhardt, joins forces with other kids to stop construction and save the owls

Hoot: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for using before, during and after reading

Hoot: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

The Influences on a Character Graphic Organizer

Printable graphic organizer to help students consider all of the influences on one of the main characters

Jayden's Impossible Garden

With the help of his friend Mr. Curtis, Jayden plants the seeds of a community garden and brings together his neighbors—and his Mama—to show them the magic of nature in the middle of the city

Jayden's Impossible Garden: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for using before, during and after reading

Jayden's Impossible Garden: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

Time = Parts Graphic Organizer

Printable graphic organizer to help students break down a narrative nonfiction text into parts and identify the main idea of each part

Something Happened to Our Planet: Kids Tackle the Climate Crisis

A book will inspire kids to make a difference in their own schools and communities

Something Happened to Our Planet: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for using before, during and after reading

Something Happened to Our Planet: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

KWL Chart

Use this KWL chart individually or as a class to activate students’ thinking as they begin reading a new book

Greta and the Giants: inspired by Greta Thunberg's stand to save the world

The story of Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greta Thunberg—the Swedish teenager who has led a global movement to raise awareness about the world’s climate crisis

Greta and the Giants: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for using before, during and after reading

Greta and the Giants: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

Historic Figures Activity Guide for Grades PK-2

Activity guide that supports books about historic figures for grades PK-2

We Are Water Protectors

We Are Water Protectors

Issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption

We Are Water Protectors: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for use before, during, and after reading

We Are Water Protectors: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

We Are Water Protectors: After Reading Activity

Printable activity provides suggestions for activating student thinking after reading

Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai

Planting the Trees of Kenya

A Kenyan woman fights to save her country, one tree at a time

Planting the Trees of Kenya: Guide for Educators

Printable guide for educators with suggestions for activating student thinking before, during, and after reading

Planting the Trees of Kenya: Extension Activities for Educators

Printable extension activities for educators provide interdisciplinary-themed, project-based lessons

Planting the Trees of Kenya: Guide for Families

Printable guide for families with hands-on activities and ideas for projects using materials found at home

Planting the Trees of Kenya: Guide for Community Coordinators

Printable community coordinator guide to be used with multiple age levels in an after school or community setting

Planting the Trees of Kenya: Vocabulary Scaffold

Printable vocabulary guide pairs 10 challenge words from the story with short definitions and easy-to-understand pictures

The Soda Bottle School: A True Story of Recycling, Teamwork, and One Crazy Idea

The Soda Bottle School

A young student and his teacher come up with a plan to turn trash into unexpected treasure

The Soda Bottle School: Guide for Educators

Printable guide for educators with suggestions for activating student thinking before, during, and after reading

The Soda Bottle School: Extension Activities for Educators

Printable extension activities for educators provide interdisciplinary-themed, project-based lessons

The Soda Bottle School: Guide for Parents & Families

Printable guide for parents and families with hands-on activities and ideas for projects using materials found at home

The Soda Bottle School: Vocabulary Scaffold

Printable vocabulary guide pairs 10 challenge words from the story with short definitions and easy-to-understand pictures

The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales

The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales

An anthology of folktales from which readers can learn about how different cultures live in harmony with nature

The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales: Guide for Educators

Printable guide for educators with suggestions for activating student thinking before, during, and after reading

The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales: Extension Activities for Educators

Printable extension activities for educators provide interdisciplinary-themed, project-based lessons

The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales: Guide for Families

Printable guide for families with hands-on activities and ideas for projects using materials found at home

The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales: Guide for Community Coordinators

Printable community coordinator guide to be used with multiple age levels in an after school or community setting

Riparia's River

Riparia's River

When their favorite swimming hole is ruined, a group of kids works together to find the cause

Riparia's River: Guide for Educators

Printable guide for educators with suggestions for activating student thinking before, during, and after reading

Riparia's River: Extension Activities for Educators

Printable extension activities for educators provide interdisicplinary-themed, project-based lessons

Riparia's River: Guide for Families

Printable guide for families with hands-on activities and ideas for projects using materials found at home

Riparia's River: Guide for Community Coordinators

Printable community coordinator guide to be used with multiple age levels in an after school or community setting

Riparia's River: Vocabulary Scaffold

Printable vocabulary guide pairs 10 challenge words from the story with short definitions and easy-to-understand pictures

Water Can Be...

Water Can Be...

This book's carefully crafted poetry is a tribute to water in its many forms

Water Can Be...: Guide for Educators

Printable guide for educators with suggestions for activating student thinking before, during, and after reading

Water Can Be...: Extension Activities for Educators

Printable extension activities for educators provide interdisciplinary-themed, project-based lessons

Water Can Be...: Guide for Families

Printable guide for families with hands-on activities and ideas for projects using materials found at home

Jasper's Story: Saving Moon Bears

Jasper's Story: Saving Moon Bears

The tale of Jasper the moon bear’s rescue and the team of caregivers who helped nurse him back to health

Jasper's Story: Guide for Educators

Printable guide for educators with suggestions for activating student thinking before, during, and after reading

Jasper's Story: Extension Activities for Educators

Printable extension activities for educators provide interdisciplinary-themed, project-based lessons

Jasper's Story: Guide for Families

Printable guide for families with hands-on activities and ideas for projects using materials found at home

Jasper's Story: Vocabulary Scaffold

Printable vocabulary guide pairs 10 challenge words from the story with short definitions and easy-to-understand pictures

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World

10 ways kids can help take care of our planet

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World: Musical Sing Along

Video that lets you sing along with a musical version of 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World

Science Discoveries for Children in Kindergarten through Grade 3

Book-based, thematic approach to reading designed to engage children (includes hands-on, cross-curricular activities)

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World: Guide for Educators

Printable guide for educators with suggestions for activating student thinking before, during, and after reading

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World: Extension Activities for Educators

Printable extension activities for educators provide interdisciplinary-themed, project-based lessons

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World: Guide for Families

Printable guide for families with hands-on activities and ideas for projects using materials found at home

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World: Guide for Community Coordinators

Printable community coordinator guide to be used with multiple age levels in an after school or community setting

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World: Vocabulary Scaffold

Printable vocabulary guide pairs 10 challenge words from the story with short definitions and easy-to-understand pictures

Earth Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays)

Earth Day

An in-depth look at the traditions and festivities on Earth Day

Earth Day: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for use before, during, and after reading

Earth Day: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

STEM Exploration Activity Guide for PK-2

Activity guide that supports STEM-related topics for PK-2

STEM Exploration Activity Guide for 3-5

Activity guide that supports STEM-related topics for grades 3-5

STEM Exploration Activity Guide for 6-8

Activity guide that supports STEM-related topics for grades 6-8

10 Things You Can Do to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

10 Things You Can Do to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Taking action can be as simple as recycling bottles and cans or bringing reusable bags to the grocery store

10 Things You Can Do to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for use before, during, and after reading

10 Things You Can Do to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

STEM Exploration Activity Guide for PK-2

Activity guide that supports STEM-related topics for PK-2

STEM Exploration Activity Guide for 3-5

Activity guide that supports STEM-related topics for grades 3-5

STEM Exploration Activity Guide for 6-8

Activity guide that supports STEM-related topics for grades 6-8

Environmental Engineering and the Science of Sustainability

Environmental Engineering and the Science of Sustainability

Learn about how environmental engineering began and how engineers find solutions to problems

Environmental Engineering and the Science of Sustainability: Discussion Guide

Discussion guide for use before, during, and after reading

Environmental Engineering and the Science of Sustainability: Frayer Model

Printable graphic organizer to deepen vocabulary knowledge

STEM Exploration Activity Guide for PK-2

Activity guide that supports STEM-related topics for PK-2

STEM Exploration Activity Guide for 3-5

Activity guide that supports STEM-related topics for grades 3-5

STEM Exploration Activity Guide for 6-8

Activity guide that supports STEM-related topics for grades 6-8

Books & Resources

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