Book Review: Gaia Girls - Enter the Earth
by Treehugger Interns on 09. 4.06
Following in the vein of Nancy Drew, the Babysitters Club, and, dare I say it, Harry Potter, the Gaia Girls series is the next group to offer heroes battling modern day villains for the kid with an eco-conscience. Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth is the first in the series and establishes Elizabeth, the first character, with the power of "earth" - the ability to work with and command soil/trees/creatures in the soil. Reminiscent of Captain Planet, the other three girls will be endowed with the power of water, air and fire. Each chapter includes great illustrations that help to color many of the scenes that take place.
While the book is a light, fast read, the themes are mature for young readers, and the author does a good job to not sugar coat any of the issues. In Enter the Earth, Elizabeth takes on the issues of factory farms and the loss inherited knowledge as small farms are pushed off of the land due to shrinking profits. Elizabeth encounters Gaia; the spirit of the earth in the body of a cute, waving otter that explains in beautiful detail how everything in the world is connected and why it’s so important to take care of the environment. Welles also explains things like organic versus conventional farming and describes the conditions in a factory pig farm.
Don't worry, the book is not just about saving the planet, as Elizabeth has regular kid issues like dealing with the loss of two best friends and not using her new powers against bullies in her school. Enter the Earth is a great read, and while some of the characters are less than endearing, they do grow on you and it’s great to see strong, brave girls from around the world as the heroines in each of these books. Does Elizabeth save her farm in time, or will her family be forced to leave the peaceful farm for the big city? To find out, you'll have to read the book.
But wait, the story doesn't end on the last page. The Gaia Girls series includes a catchy theme song, a puzzle that the reader can finish only by searching for clues throughout the book, a website for further discussion and games about environmental issues. A book with it’s own website, now is that modern or what! This series is a great toolkit for the young-Treehugger eager to get started improving their local environment. The next book Gaia Girls: Way of Water is out March 2007.
Lee Welles, the author, is currently on a 30-city radio tour and will be visiting area schools to talk about issues of sustainability. For more information, see www.gaiagirls.com. [Written by Kristin Underwood.]
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- Water, Water, Everywhere, nor Any a Drop to Drink
What a great review, just got a review copy myself (very excited) and not sure I can add much...will read mine and see if I have anything to add...
Namaste
Al
Hail Gaia Girls!! Protect and save the planet!
Gaia Girls is the best tween book I have read in a while. A page turner that just got better and better as I read.
I want book II now!
Fantastic Book.. My classroom students are HOOKED! Me too!
Book II - Way of Water can not come out fast enough for my students.
Lee Welles has a perfect mix of fantasy and realism that turns this book into a INSTANT CLASSIC for children of all ages!
Check out the author interview on the Gaia Girls myspace site. We just ordered the book on amazon.com. Thx Treehugger.com.
Another great find from treehugger.com!
Gaia Girls Book Series Myspace site:
http://www.myspace.com/gaiagirls
Homepage:
http://www.gaiagirls.com/blog
Gaia Girls - Enter the Earth wins.....
The National Outdoor Book Award!
Go Gaia Girls...
While this book may have been placed in the "Young Readers" category, the lively plot and and excellent writing style will appeal to young OR old, male OR female! The cautionary messages that Ms. Welles so artfully weaves into this tale are relevant to the continued survival of our planet and all life upon her.
Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth is a wonderfully fun way to help educate and remind all of us that our actions really do have planetary effects.
We're ordering four more copies of the book to share with friends and family.
My only complaint is that I'll have to wait a little longer before I can delve into Book 2!