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Mario and the Hole in the Sky by Elizabeth Rusch
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Mario and the Hole in the Sky

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Mario and the Hole in the Sky by Elizabeth Rusch
Ebook
Nov 05, 2019 | ISBN 9781632898579

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    Apr 02, 2024 | ISBN 9781623541866 | 6-9 years

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    Nov 05, 2019 | ISBN 9781580895811 | 6-9 years

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Product Details

Praise

♦ “The sky is falling, the sky is falling”—but unlike the supporting cast of “Chicken Little,” no one pays attention to Mexican-born chemist Dr. Mario Molina’s call to action. Rusch’s compelling narrative captures the dread and frustration felt by Molina and fellow University of California-Irvine chemist Sherwood Rowland as they race to head off the depletion of the ozone layer. Excessive amounts of chlorofluorocarbons are being released into the atmosphere from air conditioners, refrigerators, spray cans, etc. at an alarming rate. Their initial, unsuccessful efforts to convince the media and Congress about the serious chemical threat to everyone on this planet parallels Nobel Prize winner Molina’s current struggle to address our current crisis of global warming. Martinez’s Disney-esque illustrations, set against dark or murky-colored backgrounds, detract only slightly from the strong storyline. A succinct epilogue summarizes Molina’s many accomplishments, and a chart comparing the similarities between ozone depletion and global warming is appended. Additionally, a suggested reading list and corresponding links are provided. Unfortunately, the timeline is printed across the endpapers—limiting access to the information once the protective jackets are affixed to school or library copies. A Spanish-language edition will be simultaneously released, with a translation by Carlos E. Calvo. A timely and fascinating look at what courage and focused, informed action can accomplish.
Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Growing up in Mexico, Mario Molina loved exploring the world around him and performing experiments with his microscope. After attending boarding school in Switzerland and receiving his PhD, Molina began work in the United States, where he made a horrific discovery: CFCs, chemicals used in countless everyday items, were damaging the environment by destroying the ozone layer. Despite Molina and his colleague F. Sherwood Rowland’s attempts to publicize this discovery, they were not taken seriously until scientists discovered a huge hole in the ozone above Antarctica. Finally, Molina and Rowland’s hard work led to almost every country agreeing to stop the production of CFCs. Vibrant, imaginative illustrations convey the possibilities of science and the urgency of Molina’s discoveries and depict Molina’s interest from an early age. Both English and Spanish texts flow smoothly. VERDICT An excellent addition to children’s nonfiction collections, and sure to be a great highlight of Hispanic Heritage Month biography collections.
School Library Journal

Awards

Teachers’ Choice Award SELECTION 2020

Oregon Book Award FINALIST 2021

Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award HONOR 2019

Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year AWARD 2020

Cook Prize AWARD 2020

Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction AWARD 2020

Green Earth Book Award AWARD 2020

Jefferson Cup Award AWARD 2020

NSTA-CBC – Outstanding Science Trade Book AWARD 2020

SB&F Prize AWARD 2021

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