Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
11th out of 45 books
—
16 voters
World Without Fish
Mark Kurlansky, beloved author of the award-winning bestseller "Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World," offers a riveting new book for kids about what 's happening to fish, the oceans, and our environment, and what, armed with knowledge, kids can do about it.
Written by a master storyteller, "World Without Fish" connects all the dots biology, economics, evolu...more
Written by a master storyteller, "World Without Fish" connects all the dots biology, economics, evolu...more
Hardcover, 183 pages
Published
April 1st 2011
by Workman Publishing
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
More lists with this book...
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
443)
World Without Fish is a non-fiction book about what we, as humans, are doing to the environment, in particular, what could and is happening to the fish populations. The book describes the problem the fish are facing, how humans are affecting fish, and ways to help stop the problem from getting worse. Overfishing has caused great problems in the evolution of fish and is causing more problems every day.
I thought this book was an easy read and was quite interesting. It was a very informational book...more
I thought this book was an easy read and was quite interesting. It was a very informational book...more
Along the lines of social thought and beliefs is the book World Without Fish. Mark Kurlansky feels that this may be where we are headed. He wrote this book to help kids understand they can make a difference in our oceans and world. Talking about how to incorporate sustainable fishing and to improved the oceans. I know we have had to deal more and more with oil spills and water pollution. Many are worried that if fishing practices are not geared toward was to sustain the fish population. But I al...more
There were many things about this book that I loved, some things that were just okay, and a few errors which undermine the believability of the book as whole. There are a ton of interesting facts, information, history and statistics. For example, "it takes four pounds of ground up wild fish to grow one pound of farmed fish" on page 89. Kurlansky also worded things in ways I hadn't heard before and which made me stop and ponder, an example: "a vegetarian is a human who rejects killing living thin...more
This is a pretty inclusive book for a young reader. The author is very thorough in the information presented. Instead of sticking to the basics of food chains and ecosystems, he gets into evolution, DNA, history and chemistry. As an adult, I appreciate that, but I don't know if kids would be bored by it. The illustrations are nice to look at and the mini comics in each chapter I think are the most accessible parts for the younger audience he aims this book towards. I think it's a very balanced v...more
I think that Kurlansk has some really important information here to get across and makes important references to several organizations for more information. His balanced perspective between fishermen, environmentalists, and scientists is perhaps the best thing about the book, despite the gendered word "fishermen," and seems to really present an honest portrait of the situation. Unfortunately, the book has many problems with it. It does not include references for Kurlansky's research which is not...more
Dude, guys. A lot more books should be written in this fast moving, graphically diverse and eye-catching (hello big picture of a jellyfish on the middle of a page of text! Hello randomly oversized pieces of text for emphasis! hello comic book page at the end of a chapter!). It's a real great transitional method from kids stuff to dry adult non-fiction -- adapted from Mark Kurlansky's adult non-fiction "Cod"! He also wrote Salt! What a guy.
Anyways, this is about the horrors of overfishing -- how...more
Anyways, this is about the horrors of overfishing -- how...more
Kurlansky gives some great, detailed information about the state of the world's fisheries and the future of our sea life. This is a good one for adults to read, but I think it might be a little intense for young people. I understand the need to emphasize the seriousness of the situation, but I think that Kurlansky might lose a lot of readers after the first few chapters. While the format is engaging (chapters are punctuated by a comics-style story of what happens in the life of a Gulf-Coast fish...more
This book popped up on the "New" shelf at the library and I was surprised that I had not heard anything about it. Targeted at young adults, it is a great springboard into biological sciences. Kurlansky writes in a sophisticated style that will be appreciated by teen readers. The book is heavily illustrated with intermittent "comics" following a ocean scientist and his daughter, but there is also quality science writing here. With Kurlansky's own background in commercial fishing, he brings an his...more
Another gem from Mark Kurlansky . I actually got this book when it first came out--a signed copy and yet each time I started reading it, I couldn't finish. I was excited to hear his daughter read from the book, but once I got the home I'd stop a few pates into it. For a book meant for readers age 9 and up, the first 3/4 is pretty negative stuff, even with the cartoons of Kram (Mark) and daughter Ailat (Talia). All the horrible ways we're driving fish to extinction. But what really got me excited...more
Everyone should read this book!!!! (Thank you, Elizabeth) (so when I say "everyone", I mean the one friend I have who is not Elizabeth) (This means you, Katie)
I took away a star because it had two mistakes in it. The first I don't remember the specifics, just that I felt sad, betrayed, and rather disappointed in Mr. Kurlansky's editors. The second one was a little more offensive, because it used "effect" when he really meant "affect". Believe it or not, this colored my entire reading of the book...more
I took away a star because it had two mistakes in it. The first I don't remember the specifics, just that I felt sad, betrayed, and rather disappointed in Mr. Kurlansky's editors. The second one was a little more offensive, because it used "effect" when he really meant "affect". Believe it or not, this colored my entire reading of the book...more
"Most stories about the destruction of the planet involve a villain with an evil plot. But this is the story of how the earth could be destroyed by well-meaning people who fail to solve a problem simply because their calculations are wrong." New York Times best-selling author of the grown-up book COD has created a fascinating, comic-filled fish-primer for budding ecologists! He illuminates human impact on our oceans' ecosystems, and teaches readers how to help prevent the planet from morphing in...more
A fascinating, and disturbing, look at the death of Earth's oceans due to overfishing, pollution, and global warming. Loved the serial comic that came between the factual stuff. The typography was interesting, too. Occasionally I felt as if I was being "yelled at," with the type increasing in size in statements Kurlansky particularly wanted to emphasize, but I finally realized that was exactly what he wanted to do--yell, that is--for us all to pay attention. The book was a great partner read for...more
Really good book. At first I didn't want to read it because I'm not a big fan of non-fiction and what not, but i had to do a book project an a non-fiction book or biography. The librarian at my school recommended this book and I read it, at first with some doubt. As i progress in the book I found it really interesting. I really liked the small comic story at the end of each chapter. The whole book over all was good and raised many good points. It made me want to change some of the things I do an...more
Kurlansky himself is a former commercial fisherman who has gone on to win a number of awards for his writing. I think his background adds an important element to the book, because he does not simply attack commercial fishing as many environmentally-oriented books do, but takes a more balanced approach. The illustrations and graphic variations in the font not only provide emphasis but keep the reader interested and actively involved in interpreting the text.
Evaluation: A wonderful book for kids a...more
Evaluation: A wonderful book for kids a...more
3 1/2, upon reflection. I count myself as a Kurlansky fan, but in general I've found his adult fare much more successful. I learn so very much from his books and this was no exception. He does a great job a showing how multi-faceted the issues are and that there are no simple solutions. But! There are things you - the kid reader, most specifically, but it works for adults too - can do. Which is awesome, especially because the whole situation has the potential to depress utterly. And the unique s...more
I am a big fan of Kurlansky's book on oysters, written for adults. I understand that he needs a less nuanced approach for books for a younger audience, but I do not think he should stoop to inaccuracies. He says on page "xiix" that "the North American Atlantic salmon is commercially extinct because it has only hundreds rather than hundreds of thousands of surviving fish." The Lake Ontario Salmon restoration project just restocked 3 tributaries with more than 2.5 million fish. There is no way Kur...more
Kurlansky explores the history of fishing, today's problems, and potential solutions to help our oceans recover. Using interspersed passages of large, colorful text and a graphic novel page to end each chapter, Kurlasky breaks up what could be a boring text with a lot of visual interest.
This is a great book to hand to middle grade students with an interest in environmental issues. Recommended for middle school students, science teachers, and for use in classes studying current issues.
This is a great book to hand to middle grade students with an interest in environmental issues. Recommended for middle school students, science teachers, and for use in classes studying current issues.
The book’s about fishing, and fish populations, and how the one impacts the other, and the evolution of our knowledge about that impact, and how to continue doing the one without completely destroying the other. That’s interesting stuff. It involves biology, economics, geopolitics, and technology, and Mark Kurlansky understands those things well enough to explain them to anyone.
Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/201...
Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/201...
This book is geared towards children (ages 9 and up) but it just as touching for adults. It examines what will very likely happen if we continue over fishing and polluting our atmosphere. The writing is appealing and they even use comic strips to keep it light.
Not only does this book inform and keep a child’s attention but it gives direction of what we can do to turn things around and it really lets kids know that they can be the ones that make the most difference.
4 Stars
Not only does this book inform and keep a child’s attention but it gives direction of what we can do to turn things around and it really lets kids know that they can be the ones that make the most difference.
4 Stars
The cover of the book is what really sucked me in otherwise I would not have read this book, as well as the pictures and comic-booky illustrations.I really enjoyed the comics in between the facts. It seemed like a quick read so I picked it up.
Great layout, not a lot of information so it is not intimidating for a 17 year old girl who doesn't really venture into the non-fiction genre.
It's pretty good.
Great layout, not a lot of information so it is not intimidating for a 17 year old girl who doesn't really venture into the non-fiction genre.
It's pretty good.
I was surprised to find this book in the Children's section of my local library. We visited an aquarium this summer, and I was inspired to read this book after our visit. The author discusses dead zones, overfishing, various methods of fishing and what they do to the environment, etc. I will pay more attention to the sourcing of fish the next time I'm in the grocery store.
World Without Fish is Silent Spring for the next generation! I try to be socially conscious of all things environmental because of my love for the mother, but I live in the midwest--far from ocean life. This book opened my eyes to an issue that I don't really think about. A fact-filled, riveting read! Great read for Earth Day! Love your mother!
Good writing and fantastic graphics. Should be read by all adults and kids. Kids will 'get it' much quicker than adults because they have not had the time to become the kind of consumers we adults have evolved into. Drives home the point that if we don't change our eating and purchasing habits, fish will be extinct within 50 years.
This book was very interesting but PREACHY. The use of all caps in what was clearly meant to be key points if the text was so irritating. I wouldn't accept it in an email from my ten year old daughter, never mind from a professional writer. I was so put-off I would have bailed long before the end if I wasn't required to finish reading.
Clearly presented issues about the threats to our ocean life, and therefore our planetary life, in an engaging and accessible way to middle grades and up. Has a running comic strip as well as different illustrations, insets, and historical background. List of suggestions and resources included.
Written for kids but I still learned a lot from this book. It gives some background on the history of fishing and discusses what may lay in store for fish populations in the future. It all has a pretty sophisticated discussion of different solutions being proposed in fishery management.
This book is very interesting. It really makes you think about how everything is interconnected and affected by everything else. There are no simple answers to environmental problems but there are ways to make things better. I think all science teachers should read this.
Basically the low-down on what's happening to the fish of the world and what repercussions their disappearance is having/will have on the rest of the world as we know it, written for older kids/teens.
I don't like fish, but this was an interesting read. While it did seem to be repetitive at points, it wasn't super-preachy and did offer readers some good suggestions as to what they can do to help the problem.
I don't like fish, but this was an interesting read. While it did seem to be repetitive at points, it wasn't super-preachy and did offer readers some good suggestions as to what they can do to help the problem.
Great book about the future of the oceans if we take no action to curb overfishing. I appreciate that the last chapter focuses on how to take action. Concisely written and argued. It is a young adult's book but I recommend it for adults as well.
A disturbing look at the death of Earth's oceans. Explains the effects of overfishing, pollution, and global warming. It isn't pretty. Written for young adults, so even I could understand it. :)
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Things: YA G...: World Without Fish | 1 | 2 | Oct 17, 2012 08:32am |
Mark Kurlansky (born 7 December 1948 in Hartford, Connecticut) is a highly-acclaimed American journalist and writer of general interest non-fiction. He is especially known for titles on eclectic topics, such as cod or salt.
Kurlansky attended Butler University, where he harbored an early interest in theatre and earned a BA in 1970. However, his interest faded and he began to work as a journalist in...more
More about Mark Kurlansky...
Kurlansky attended Butler University, where he harbored an early interest in theatre and earned a BA in 1970. However, his interest faded and he began to work as a journalist in...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Jul 10, 2012 08:42pm