The Sixth Extinction (Young Readers Adaptation) - by Elizabeth Kolbert

About the Book

"Over the last half-billion years, there have been five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists around the world are monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. Adapting from her New York Times-bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning adult nonfiction, Elizabeth Kolbert explores the Anthropocene era: the era defined by human impact. This young readers adaptation is made accessible with its additional explanations of scientific concepts. Along with photographs from the original book, the adaptation includes illustrations to help make the past, present, and future of extinction compelling for younger readers"--

Book Synopsis

In this young readers adaptation of the New York Times-bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning The Sixth Extinction, Elizabeth Kolbert tells us why and how human beings have altered life on the planet in a way no species has before.

Over the last half-billion years, there have been five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists around the world are monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. Adapting from her New York Times-bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning adult nonfiction, Elizabeth Kolbert explores how humans are altering life on Earth.

Review Quotes

"[Kolbert] says people think that to prevent the sixth extinction they need to care more and make sacrifices, but 'It doesn't much matter if people care or don't care. What matters is that people change the world.' After reading her lively, entertaining, and very accessible book, young readers will be inspired to try." -- Booklist (starred review)

"Highly expressive and vividly detailed writing conveys the tragedy that humanity is bringing on itself. . . Essential for science discussions on mass extinctions to challenge advanced middle grade readers."--School Library Journal (starred review)

"The narrative of this abridged version contains each of the original book's 13 chapters and is written with specificity and wit. . . In addition to clearly synthesizing a large amount of research, this book's virtue lies in the emotional gut punch it delivers. . .A wide-ranging, urgent, and emotionally effective call to action. "--Kirkus

About the Author

Elizabeth Kolbert is a staff writer at The New Yorker. She is the author of The Sixth Extinction and Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change. She lives in Williamstown, Massachusetts, with her husband and children.