An extraordinarily well-researched, well-presented, and visually appealing book on a fascinating subject.
An enticing exploration of the astonishing world of fungi.
This easily comprehensible, accessibly written work introduces readers to fungi—mushrooms and mycelium, yeasts, and molds. In her introduction, Kenney explains that fungi are “not quite plant and not quite animal.” She goes on to describe their characteristics and appearance (divided into “The Beauties” and “The Oddities”). Two chapters cover edible mushrooms, their high nutritional value, and their role in world cuisine, and toxic fungi and their impact on people and crops. Later chapters explore mushrooms that can heal and ones with mind-altering properties. Readers learn about the burgeoning interest in using mushrooms to treat cancer, depression, and other ailments. This eye-opening narrative summarizes new scientific discoveries about how mycelia (“a network of fungal cells”) support and feed forests. The final chapter details cutting-edge research: using fungi’s antiviral properties to protect bees, creating self-repairing “intelligent buildings” that have “mycelial computers built into their walls,” extracting enzymes from fungi to break down plastic pollution, and other innovations. Kenney illuminates a largely unknown world—out of an estimated 2.2 to 12 million fungus species, scientists have discovered about 150,000—that holds exciting promise for our future. The pleasing visual layout includes color photos and captivating sidebars, often about historical cases or intriguing personal stories.
An extraordinarily well-researched, well-presented, and visually appealing book on a fascinating subject. (are you a mycophile, glossary, source notes, selected bibliography, further resources, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Oct. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9798765611173
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Twenty-First Century/Lerner
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2025
Small but mighty necessary reading.
A miniature manifesto for radical queer acceptance that weaves together the personal and political.
Eli, a cis gay white Jewish man, uses his own identities and experiences to frame and acknowledge his perspective. In the prologue, Eli compares the global Jewish community to the global queer community, noting, “We don’t always get it right, but the importance of showing up for other Jews has been carved into the DNA of what it means to be Jewish. It is my dream that queer people develop the same ideology—what I like to call a Global Queer Conscience.” He details his own isolating experiences as a queer adolescent in an Orthodox Jewish community and reflects on how he and so many others would have benefitted from a robust and supportive queer community. The rest of the book outlines 10 principles based on the belief that an expectation of mutual care and concern across various other dimensions of identity can be integrated into queer community values. Eli’s prose is clear, straightforward, and powerful. While he makes some choices that may be divisive—for example, using the initialism LGBTQIAA+ which includes “ally”—he always makes clear those are his personal choices and that the language is ever evolving.
Small but mighty necessary reading. (resources) (Nonfiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-09368-9
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change.
Testa’s connection to and respect for nature compelled her to begin championing animal causes at the age of 10, and this desire to have an impact later propelled her to dedicate her life to fighting plastic pollution. Starting with the history of plastic and how it’s produced, Testa acknowledges the benefits of plastics for humanity but also the many ways it harms our planet. Instead of relying on recycling—which is both insufficient and ineffective—she urges readers to follow two additional R’s: “refuse” and “raise awareness.” Readers are encouraged to do their part, starting with small things like refusing to use plastic straws and water bottles and eventually working up to using their voices to influence business and policy change. In the process, she highlights other youth advocates working toward the same cause. Short chapters include personal examples, such as observations of plastic pollution in Mauritius, her maternal grandparents’ birthplace. Testa makes her case not only against plastic pollution, but also for the work she’s done, resulting in something of a college-admissions–essay tone. Nevertheless, the first-person accounts paired with science will have an impact on readers. Unfortunately, no sources are cited and the lack of backmatter is a missed opportunity.
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change. (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-22333-8
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
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