Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life [Paperback]

Linda Sivertsen (Author), Tosh Sivertsen (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 5, 2008

We all know about the Earth's environmental crisis, but there is someone who can truly make a difference: you. If you text your friends or chat with them online, download music to your iPod, or toss bottles and papers into recycling bins, you're already more eco-savvy than you think. It's just as easy to do even more to help save the earth, and Generation Green shows you how. This book:

• Lays out the inside scoop on the biggest issues affecting our planet, such as global warming and overflowing landfills
• Offers dozens of tips on how to shop, dress, eat, and travel the green way
• Includes interviews with teens like you who are involved with fun, innovative green causes
• Shows that being environmentally conscious can be a natural part of your life -- and your generation's contribution to turning things around.

It doesn't matter if you can't vote or drive. Your efforts -- big or small -- will contribute to saving the planet. It's time for all of us to take action. It's time to go green!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—A thorough yet accessible manual on green living. Sivertsen and her teenage son draw on scientific findings, personal experience, and interviews with celebrities and teens to provide readers with environmentally responsible lifestyle alternatives, from organic cosmetics to natural kitchen cleaners to green career opportunities. The "Five Rs"—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, Refuse—provide a framework for embracing an alternative to rampant consumerism. The book's incisive voice, using teen idioms, is accessible to those who have little or no background in environmental issues, yet the standards within will likewise engage readers already committed to being green. Though there is no index and the many pop-culture references may hinder the work's longevity, this volume will appeal to the target audience. Chapters are broken into frequent, user-friendly subheadings, and special interviews—many with energetic, activist teens—are clearly designated; decorative illustrations complement the text. Listings of green Web sites, charities, and organizations are included. In addition to being a handy, information-rich companion to Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth (Viking, 2007) and Laurie David and Cambria Gordon's The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming (Scholastic, 2007), Generation Green is also unique, for its central focus is not to explain the science behind current environmental challenges, but rather to reveal how young people can work to solve those problems in their everyday lives.—Farida S. Dowler, Mercer Island Library, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Every generation thinks they want to change the world. If the latest generation is serious about it, Tosh and Linda provide the blueprint. This book is deep and yet fun and smart and filled with great tips, facts, stories, and interviews. Every school needs to have Generation Green as part of their curriculum!"
-- Ed Begley, Jr., Living with Ed, for Discovery's Planet Green

"The guide is packed with tons of tips for becoming eco-chic..."
-- Teen Vogue

"We've got Generation X and Generation Y. Generation Green has a much better ring to it!"
-- Amy Edelen, co-host of FreshlyGreen.com & co-owner of YourGuidetoGreen.com

"Generation Green is a fast-paced and easy read for any young adult who's interested in finding purpose in their life and making a difference. If you know a teen that longs to be inspired by something more than reality TV, Generation Green is chocked full of fun and easy-to-apply actions which prove how small things can make a huge impact. Buy this book for every teen you know and allow them join with us to transform the world!"
-- James Arthur Ray, New York Times best-selling author of Harmonic Wealth

"Linda Sivertsen is the greenest person I know. She was born green!"
-- Leeza Gibbons

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse; Original edition (August 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416961224
• ISBN-13: 978-1416961222
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #901,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #78 in Books > Teens > Education & Reference > Science & Technology > Ecology

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If we don't help create Generation Green - our world will continue to suffer and crumble. September 4, 2008

By Michelle Dunn VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Generation Green is a book that will truly make a difference with teens and anyone who reads it. I read it fairly quickly and am passing it along to my 18 year old son. This book will teach you ways you can make a difference in many ways, big and small. If each of us changes just one thing that we do we can make big changes. If we each change a few things and increase that over time, we can make even bigger changes and a huge difference for our future and our childrens futures. Why anyone would ignore or not do any of the things mentioned in this book, is just beyond me.
This great little book lets teens know how much water it takes when they take a shower, and really just informs them of the facts of life all over the world and how easy we have it. It then tells them small things they can change in their lifestyle to make big differences.
I think this book should be required reading for every high school. I plan on buying many and giving them to everyone I know, teens and adults.If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide for teens September 21, 2008

By Pen Name? VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

And good for adults in many ways too. This book packs a lot of useful tips and information together, and while it focuses on things that individuals can do on their own, it doesn't shy away from taking a look at bigger and more systemic environmental issues. It's very readable and engaging and really makes you feel that not only should you be concerned for the environment, but that there are many things you can do which are helpful and proactive.
The end of the text also includes references to books and organizations to look to in order to get more active and engage the issues further.
Very recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't say enough! September 18, 2008

By Jen VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

In these times we are living in, it is crucial that everyone know how to conserve and recycle. As an adult looking back, we were never taught such things in school. Granted, it's been a few years! But it was just not important in those days 10-15 years ago. I remember my parents recycling pop cans because they went through a case a week as well as the daily newspaper, but they never took it beyond that.

When I was about 17 I took a huge interest in preservation after a project in school in which we had to petition to save one of our local marshlands from being filled in order to build more housing. That battle was won and it made me feel empowered, so I took it a few steps further and did tons of independent research which has brought me to where I am today.

The things that I do to conserve and recycle you would think are common knowledge, especially since we are experiencing all time highs in energy costs. But sadly, the information isn't right in front of you. You have to look for it. And for a child who may not have parents that are into preservation and conservation and isn't hearing about it in school, they are likely to continue on being blissfully ignorant of the dire situation our planet is in.

This book is the perfect solution to that. It covers nearly everything one needs to know to live green and it's packaged nicely in an easy to read and easy to understand format. No big words to intimidate younger kids and slightly larger than normal text make this an easy pick up and read. It also does much to empower kids, labeling them "Generation Green", the hope of the future. It really makes them feel important and feel like they really can do something, and they can! And with this book, hopefully they will....

My little one is far too young to grasp all of this now, but you can bet I'll be holding onto this book for the day when he's ready to read it and become a Green Guardian himself. And hopefully he will spread the word to other children. Teaching our kids to live green is as important as teaching them to walk and talk. If you're not up to speed on all you need to know, just another reason to pick up this book so you can read it together. Highly recommended! Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars For Green tweens and teens and their parents September 17, 2008

By Jennifer Donovan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

My ten-year-old daughter is a part of "Generation Green." I always wonder if it's a fad or she's just trying to be hip, but I think that it is this generation who WILL make a difference (hopefully).

She always expresses interest in books and shows on how to live a greener life, so I got this book for us to read together.

She's a little young for some of the pop culture references (Gossip Girl) and tips (makeup and cell phones), but in general, these are tips she can use (and me too). I like the idea that our children can guide us.

While she always says she's green, she's the first one complaining if it's too hot (not enough a/c) or too cold (heater turned down), so I'm hoping that a book like this will show her that these things matter.

The book is written by an 18 year old and his mom, so it's very reader-friendly and written in a conversational tone.

I like that each chapter includes "Big steps" and "small steps." The last chapter features a typical teen's routine, and choices that would be typical, green, greener, and greenest. Again -- this causes them to think about if they really want to make the green choice (walk instead of ride) or if they just want slap an earth sticker on their notebook and call themselves an environmentalist.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good information September 12, 2008

By S. J Parker

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

This book contains some good information. Most I was familiar with but others not. Never heard about the problems with burning candles indoors, but it makes sense.

I also enjoyed the story in the front of the book about Tosh's family packing him ( age 5 through 9) & the family up to move into a wooded area in New Mexico to live off the land. Right down to an Outhouse, chopping wood for heat, catching rain water for drinking, etc.

The reason for the 3 star rating is that I feel the book could be condensed. As one other reviewer said "too wordy" I think of the paper that could have been saved by rearranging the words to a more easily read& shorter format. Nor does this book have an Index. Advertisements, References & a list of Green websites but no Index in the back of the book. I found this frustrating when I wanted to go back & look for various information.