
Reach for this book when your child expresses anxiety about the environment or shows a growing fascination with how complex machines work. While many climate books focus on the damage being done to our planet, this narrative shifts the focus to active solutions and the thrill of scientific discovery. It provides a grounded sense of hope by showing that brilliant minds are currently at work solving the energy crisis. Elizabeth Rusch follows real-world engineers as they attempt to harness the massive, rhythmic energy of ocean waves. This middle-school-appropriate deep dive explores the trial and error of invention, emphasizing that failure is a necessary part of the scientific process. It is a perfect choice for kids who want to see how physics and engineering can be applied to real-world problems while offering a refreshing dose of optimism about our future.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals with the climate crisis in a direct but secular and solutions-oriented manner. While it acknowledges the threat of global warming, the focus remains on innovation and engineering rather than impending doom. The resolution is realistic: wave energy is a work in progress, not a magic fix.
A 12-year-old 'maker' who loves building things but has recently started asking deeper questions about what they can do to help the earth. It is for the student who thrives in science labs and enjoys seeing the 'messy middle' of an experiment.
This book is excellent for reading cold, though parents might want to look at the diagrams first to help explain the more complex physics of buoyancy and hydraulics if their child asks. A parent might see their child scrolling through negative news about climate change or hearing them express frustration that 'nothing is being done.'
Younger readers (age 10) will be captivated by the 'giant machines' and the power of the waves. Older readers (age 13-14) will better appreciate the nuances of the engineering failures and the persistence required in a career in STEM.
Unlike many STEM books that provide a historical overview, this feels like 'current events engineering.' It focuses on a specific, emerging technology that many children haven't heard of yet, making them feel like they are on the cutting edge.
The book chronicles the development of wave energy technology, focusing on the researchers and engineers at the forefront of this green energy frontier. It details the design, testing, and deployment of various wave energy converters, illustrating the immense power of the ocean and the technical challenges of surviving its environment.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.