When the World Runs Dry: Earth's Water in Crisis

by Nancy F. Castaldo

What would you do if you turned on the faucet one day and nothing happened? What if you learned the water in your home was harmful to drink? Water is essential for life on this planet, but not every community has the safe, clean water it needs. In When the World Runs Dry, award-winning science writer Nancy Castaldo takes readers from Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey, to Iran and Cape Town, South Africa, to explore the various ways in which water around the world is in danger, why we must act now, and why you’re never too young to make a difference.

Topics include: Lead and water infrastructure problems, pollution, fracking contamination, harmful algal blooms, water supply issues, rising sea levels, and potential solutions. 
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Environment, Nature, Activism, Climate Change, Family

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 18, 2022

About the author

Nancy Castaldo is an award winning author of children's books, a certified National Geographic educator, and photographer.

She loves writing books for curious readers that get them thinking about the world around them.

Reviews

[Amy Imogene Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our planet's resources are finite, including arguably the most important one: the water. Explained in engaging snapshots and covering several different environmental topics related to water and its use, misuse, and conservation, this book is a must-read for our younger audiences. (And us adults, too!)

Concepts: ★★★★★
Readability: ★★★★★
Pacing: ★★★

When the World Runs Dry: Earth's Water in Crisis is the kind of nonfiction read that I hope gets taught in schools. Because I, a fully grown adult with basic knowledge of our water troubles, learned way too much information for the first time.

I feel like we all should be well versed in the global situation of water. We need it to survive, it keeps everything alive, and yet... some of us remain ignorant of its journey and struggles in the current state of our Earth.

Tailored to younger readers, this slim book had a TON of information processed in easy-to-digest bites. A little bit on the Flint water crisis and its implications in Michigan, USA. A little bit on the history and harms of fracking. A little bit on harmful red algae. A little bit on dry wells. A little bit on a lot of things, told in an accessible and informative way.

I certainly learned a lot, and I appreciated the author for her time spent on dosing it down to the entry point level for a lot of very complicated topics.

We only have so much water, y'all...

A powerful read to absorb on this Earth Day. I recommend for all!

Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

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[Karen (kmo.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for the #gifted copy of the book.

This book is gears towards young readers - ages 9-12. Everyone should have access to clean water! We all need it to survive. This was a great informative book about what would happen if we ran out of water! There were lots of real life examples in this book. This book should be in every school!

[Veronica (Honey Roselea Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for inviting me to read When the World Runs Dry for the Blog tour and for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A review will be up on my blog on April 22, 2021 at 10 am CST on Honey Roselea Reads for you guys to check out!

My review on When the World Runs Dry will be accessible using this link from April 22, 2021 at 10 am CST and onward.

For now, here is a preview to what the review will look like:

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When the World Runs Dry gives us the facts and information that shows us how much the world is in need of better health and recovery. The way Nancy F. Castaldo helps me understand that there is much more struggle in the world and in various communities than meets the eye.

I gave When the World Runs Dry five stars, really enjoying and learning so much... continue reading

[Vincent Pham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read on the importance of water in our lives. This book sheds light on the dangers of water that has been compromised (i.e. Flint, MI) and the effects it can have on human life.

It also sheds light on other topics such as the dangers of water SURPLUS (i.e Venice, Italy), the effects of corporations on water, and ways we can help mitigate the water crisis.

I enjoyed the book and it was an easier read as it is written at a young adult level. Some sections were more intriguing and others sections were more of a gloss over.

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the past few years, I’ve made an effort to learn about the environment and sustainability. But I’ve never known much about the water crisis. This book taught me an enormous amount in less than 200 pages.

When the World Runs Dry is young adult nonfiction, written in an approachable style that explains what the water crisis is, how it happened, and why it matters.

Each chapter includes case studies of communities impacted by the water crisis, like a town only 30 miles from me hurt by contaminated groundwater. It was especially moving to read about a community so close to home.

I loved the examples of young people stepping up to make a difference. The book ends with these amazing stories plus specific actions you can take and organizations to support.

I recommend to this to YA and adult readers alike! It’s a great book to educate yourself on an urgent issue.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has witten a compelling and ultimately hopeful quest for water advocacy in this fascinating and heartbreaking non-fiction book. I felt that the information was presented with a healthy dose of urgency, while encouraging young readers to find their voice and join as advocates. This is written for middle grade readers, which is the perfect age to engage children in caring about the world around them, volunteerism, and campaigning. As an adult, I felt spurred to action through the reminders that we can do things as simple as testing our water, adding a filter, and writing to our elected representatives.

This is an important book that teachers, librarians, and parents would do well to have in their library collections. It shares current events and gives voice to underrepresented communities. The author advocates for BIPOC communities, as well as rural communities, but she cautions that water scarcity or contamination could happen no matter where we live.

Water is one of our most basic necessities, and as this book cautions, we can not take it for granted. I highly recommend this book for all ages.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: When the World Runs Dry: Earth’s Water in Crisis

Author: Nancy F. Castaldo

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 3.5/5

Recommended For...: non-fiction, environmental

Publication Date: January 18, 2022

Genre: Environmental Non-Fiction

Age Relevance: 15+ (water infrastructure problems, pollution, fracking contamination, supply issues)

Explanation of Above: Pollution, fracking, infrastructure, and supply issues are all heavily discussed in the book.

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Pages: 208

Synopsis: What would you do if you turned on the faucet one day and nothing happened? What if you learned the water in your home was harmful to drink? Water is essential for life on this planet, but not every community has the safe, clean water it needs. In When the World Runs Dry, award-winning science writer Nancy Castaldo takes readers from Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey, to Iran and Cape Town, South Africa, to explore the various ways in which water around the world is in danger, why we must act now, and why you’re never too young to make a difference.

Review: I feel like this was a highly informative book that I felt discussed the issues in it very well. The book is presented in a factual manner and it pulls from a lot of different issues and experiences to show the current water crisis. The book is a great springboard into other non-fiction books about environmental issues such as fracking, rising sea levels, pollution, etc.

The main thing I didn’t like about the book is that I felt the tone of it was a bit dry and it wasn’t as engaging for my brain as I thought it would be, but I felt it was still engaging. I’m also now terrified, so good job book.

Verdict: It’s good and educational.

[Sascha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review first appeared on: https://saschadarlington.me/2022/01/1...

Water. It’s one thing we all need and one that we also take for granted until the turn of your faucet delivers nothing or a water analysis shows over-the-limit toxins or chemicals derived coal mining or plastic factories or even farming and ranching. I thought I was environmentally aware until I read Nancy Castaldo’s illuminating and informative When the World Runs Dry which describes many real events that have contaminated water, how human beings have turned ground water to muck, and the environmental concerns of flooding and drought.

When the World Runs Dry is written for young adult readers but is really a book that we all should read in order to be more aware of what is going on around us, especially when the powers that be would rather we were all kept in the dark. In fact, the level of corruption among politicians (as well as corporation leaders in the coal, car, plastic and other industries in which run-off creates environmental hazards for the neighboring communities) who evidently would rather people die from the effects of drinking contaminated water than take responsibility and act is stupefying and does make you wonder if you shouldn’t be regularly having your own water analyzed since you can’t always trust that the government will inform you if there’s an issue. (Yes, if you couldn’t tell, Castaldo has really set a fire under me!)

In tandem, we see the results of building communities or farming in areas that were not meant to handle it–like deserts. Is it any surprise communities and farmers trying to thrive in deserts might someday run out of water and face dire situations? We human beings are not very good at accepting responsibility for our own ignorance.

This review is very close to turning into a rant (if it hasn’t reached there already) so I’ll be summing it up. When the World Runs Dry is easily understand, informative, and covers the issues at hand adeptly. The author provides a lot of statistics and facts for the real life examples she’s shared and plenty of references. Castaldo doesn’t just inform, she also offers suggestions on how we can help, what we can do. It’s really time we stop taking nature and its resources for granted and act before it’s too late for future generations and the planet as we know it.

Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for sending along a copy of When the World Runs Dry for an honest review–or in this case, rant. Read this one, folks.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important and necessary book to learn about the finite resource of water. I especially liked the actionable steps a reader can immediately put into place to begin helping to solve the world’s water crisis.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This refreshingly (no pun intended) readable and engrossing book on the state of the world’s water supply is an important read for those who heard a wake-up call after the Flint water crisis. While much of the content is really sobering, there are easily digestible facts to go along with the feels. One quote that has stayed with me comes from the UN in 2020: “More people die throughout the world each year from contaminated water than from all forms of violence, including war.” Wow – what should be a human right is a daily hardship for many.

The author explains all the ways that the water supply is in crisis, from pollution (from lead, industrial run off, coal mining, fracking, agricultural uses and even pharmaceuticals); to climate change (flooding, rising seas, the desertification of land); and political and civil unrest and war. And then there’s the bottled water business, which can drain local groundwater supplies and which expends three times the amount of water to bottle than the amount of water in the bottle. Plenty of relatable examples are given, from all over the U.S. and the world. Finally, Castaldo offers solutions, both global and systemic (banning single-use water bottles, desalination, and other ideas) and personal actions, such as grassroot activism, using rain barrels and raising consciousness about shorter showers, etc. I especially like her inclusion of issues and thoughts around indigenous communities, both in the U.S. and world wide.

The tone is realistically informational, allowing readers to see the facts themselves. With a table of contents, source notes, a glossary, an index and photos, this a wonderful source for anyone seeking to understand the facts around water availability.

[RF · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from a giveaway and donated it to Women's Prison Book Project.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing resourceful book for young people, as this book shares how the world is addressing, tackling, confronting environmental issues with our water supply.

“Water is life.” We all need it to survive, and this planet cannot go without necessary water to sustain life within it, like plants, animals, trees, and sea life, etc. However, with growing populations, corporate greed, climate change and global warming, the seemingly limitless supply of water, is not so limitless, but finite. The way we use water has shifted, and more and more people and organizations are lifting their voices to be heard to inform the masses that water conservation is our key to survive. We cannot be wasteful, we have to be cognizant of the decisions we make with everything in our lives and how it impacts our water supply, and being vigilant when certain laws/ordinances/regulations are passed that are not environmentally friendly to all who depend on water. As human beings, we cannot survive without clean water, and so we should all be joining the fight against those entities who have no regard to how they are affecting the water supply; be it through overconsumption, pollution, and/or contamination.

This book highlights some of the most heinous and egregious issues our generation has seen and/or read about regarding water. Flint, Michigan, one of the most troubling cases in our lifetime, shows how corporate greed, mismanagement, and lying to the public has catastrophic consquences to our lives. Coupled with systemic racism, water shortages, contamination, and poor management of water consumption can result in death, disease, and public distrust.

Our world is facing dangerous times in the future with water; whether we will have enough clean water to drink, despite the Clean Water Act, and other laws/regs and the EPA that help us at keeping clean drinking water a human right, is getting harder and harder to guarantee. Politicians and those elected to the Presidency are all responsible for deciding the future of clean, sustainable water for all. The public depends on fair and equitable distribution of water, and not having the proper infrastructure and funds necessary to make needed repairs comes at a drastic cost to our lives.

I appreciated the way the author spoke of these concerning issues in a way that envoked urgency, interest, and personal responsibility. This book makes you think about how you personally consume water. Are you wasteful, are you conserving, are you doing your share to make sure you aren’t contributing to pollution and contamination? All of these questions arise as you read this book. I feel like this book should be apart of school circuluum, as its going to be our children’s future; those who inherit this earth once we’re gone, as they would be able to come to this problem of ours with fresh perspectives and creative solutions to our water issues.

The book not only dealt with contamination, overuse, gross mismanagement, and other harmful contributions, but also shined a light to talk about human involvement in the climate change crisis. How we as humans are guilty in pushing forward global warming and climate change. Climate change and global warming are REAL issues, and I’m glad that this book talks about how we as humans contribute to the degradation of our planet in our consumption behaviors. Places like Venice, who have too much water, enviromental disasters like hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, and tornadoes, are all direct products of climate change and human activity. Plastic found in fresh water sources, animals, fish, and all of sea life, etc., are all human made problems that we are having to deal with and correct.

The book also promoted how to be more environmentally conscious of how you treat the earth, the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the products you buy, the water you drink or don’t use responsibly.

“Everything is connected.” What you flush down the drain/toilet, the water you use in the shower, the medications that are not disposed of correctly, the animal droppings that are not disposed of properly, the overfarming, the concrete used on streets and sidewalks, all of it is connected.

Our water is our lifeline, and if we don’t care for it properly, it will not be there for us to sustain life as we know it. Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is a great example of how we do not want to continue disrespecting our earth and water supply of lifegiving water. Resisting and fighting corporations like the Native Americans did in raising their voices in DAPL (Dakota Access Pipeline) and rural communities banding together to stop oil drilling, overusing water from wells, are all helpful and useful actions that can make people who rely on this capitalism to stop in their tracks. We need more people who are earth conscious and determined to make this world a better place than they left it to step up in our environment and all egregious behaviors when they see them. Water is life. We all need it, and we should all care about the quality of water we need for life.

This book is a 4/4.5 and I would love to see this book in schools to help our young children have a way to start organizing, petitioning, and questioning what goes on in their community.

Thank you to the publisher, Algonquin Young Readers, and to the author, Nancy Castaldo, for this book in exchange for a fair and honest opinion.

[Zaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

When The World Runs Dry does a good job balancing the scientific and social aspects of water, describing how and why contaminants enter water or why water is more and less abundant, while also explaining how water issues harmed people in the affected area. Ms. Castaldo, however, doesn’t do as good of a job keeping political opinions out of the book. She repeatedly demeans the Trump administration’s actions while simultaneously promoting the Biden administration. Although this is distracting, the plea for action on the world’s water crisis still comes through. Unfortunately, the book’s repetitive format and science talk can get a bit dry at times. Some chapters were very engrossing, while others were a bit boring and bland. At times, chapters felt very repetitive and some chapters were pointless altogether. The book powerfully used the example of the Flint, Michigan water crisis, but repeated information on the topic far too much. This book was released just last year, so the information is current and highly relevant.

The book’s repeated message is that our world’s water is in crisis and we need to do something about it. In her explanations of all of the problems our world’s water is facing, Ms. Castaldo allows even younger readers to comprehend how and why these problems are occurring. Additionally, with real life “Case Studies” in every chapter, Ms. Castaldo brings the abstract scientific concepts into focus, relating each problem to a real life issue, from Flint, Michigan to Venice, Italy, even exploring water issues in the Standing Rock Sioux reservation.

I would recommend this book to those who are uneducated about water issues, those who wish to have clean water, those who would like to lower their water consumption, and anyone who is very interested in water. When The World Runs Dry is a middle grade book, suitable for grades 5 and up, but conscientious and perceptive younger readers would comprehend most of the material. I would not, however, recommend this book to those who are educated about water issues but do not have a desire to learn more. The dry, dragging nature of sections of this book would lose readers who aren’t very interested, and only serve to demoralize rather than galvanize. Read by the right audience, this book is informative, interesting, and mobilizing, but can be dreary reading to others.

[Neil Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

One powerful, thought-provoking read!

We take water for granted. We expect, when we turn on the faucet, that it's going to flow, clean, life-giving...abundant. Most of us probably practice the little energy-savers we've learned along the way, like keeping the taps off while washing hands or brushing teeth, and take satisfaction in doing our bit. Is it enough?

I would not have taken the time for this book if my own New Hampshire town were not front and center in it. Here in Hampstead, with its abundance of lakes, ponds, and streams - typical of the state - it's almost laughable that there could be any sort of water crisis. And yet, an increasing number of families here have had their wells go dry. Their efforts over the past few years have hardly gone unnoticed, but author Nancy Castaldo thought the story was worth telling to a wider audience - and so, here it is, a dry, sobering tale that defies the illusion of a water-rich community where anything is possible. Turns out, water is money. It's also politics and power. When a private water company taps in, and your well runs dry because of it, your world turns upside down - and you're on your own. Castaldo takes the time to focus on the human side of the story as it affects real people, people I know, with breathtaking results.

For me, reading about my own community was the springboard into absorbing the rest of the book. There is a worldwide problem, from Tucson to Cape Town, from upstate New York to Lake Mead. The book details the challenges in language that is direct and straightforward, but also calls out the actions being taken to bring awareness to and address the challenges. It is an eye-opener.

I grew up - and grew old - believing that 90% of the world's fresh water is frozen in ice at the poles, a comforting constant that, sadly, hasn't been true for awhile. As populations increase, as climate change moves from a state-of-mind to stark reality, water is not as abundant, not as unlimited as one might have thought. This book views the crisis head-on, through the experiences of those living with it. It also provides opportunity to become familiar with people, practices, and programs that are working to ensure a better flow of this most important resource for all of us.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the World Runs Dry is a non-fiction book that is compelling, but not necessarily out to frighten us. As I live in a state in very-recent and very-severe drought, I felt sure that Castaldo would focus her efforts there. The initial focus on lead/water infrastructure issues, pollution, etc. is important, but was a little more "dry" for me. Castaldo's additional discussions of fracking, algal blooms, rising sea levels, and water supply issues was much more engaging, unique, and interesting. So much to think about when it comes to one of our most important human rights! How will we go forward to ensure one of our most important resources is safe and available?

One issue that I'd never considered before was the privatization of water sources. Stephen worked on a project many years ago for Nestle Waters, where he filmed at various springs across the US where they bottle some of our most commonly supplied spring waters. What right do they have to these human resources? Should the sole ownership of something everyone in the world requires be "up for sale", or should we all be entitled to access to clean waters? Great topics for continued discussion and consideration.

Lily (14) got her hands on this book before I did and it really got her thinking about issues she'd never considered before. When a book like this can convince a teen, "Maybe I should read more non-fiction?", then I'd say it's done the task it set out to do.

Read as a nomination in the nonfiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in California and attended college in Utah. I'm also a news junkie. Since the end of the 20th century, I have been declaring to all who will listen, "Access to drinking water and water for agriculture will be the biggest crisis of the 21st Century." Nancy F. Castaldo provides a detailed, systemic overview of the problems emerging with access to water for many cities and regions of the world, including the US. Nevertheless, she also describes water crises in other countries.

The culprits range from aging pipes, chemical pollution from mining and other industries, excretions of prescription medications into the sewers, or droughts caused by overloading areas with too much development or droughts caused by climate change.

While the book focuses more on describing the problem than prescribing solutions, the first step to fixing a problem is identifying it. I can see this book being transformative for readers ages 10 to 17 years old. If I were to go back to school and do it all again, I would be a civil engineer with a focus on the management of drinking water. (Well, if I could actually demonstrate competency
let alone excellence in chemistry, physics, and calculus.) God bless the civil engineers and city planners to lead us to change in policies to protect and promote access to clean water.

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Earth truly is in crisis mode, but there is something we can do about it if we act now. Pollutants including coal, fracking, industrial waste, and algae blooms are contaminating America's water supply, The U. S. is not the only country in trouble. Worldwide, water supply and demand is in crisis.

The rise of sea level and climate change is further destroying hundreds of thousands of acres of land. Droughts cause crops to fail and starvation crisis. Hurricanes bring in salt water to fresh water lakes and destroy ecosystems. There are small things we can all do to help save our water.

In your own household, you can take shorter showers and run the dishwasher and washer only when they are full. Collect rain water in a barrel to water outdoor plants. Try to reuse and recycle clothing. It takes water to create new clothing.

Many case studies are cited and a useful glossary and resources page make this a stand-out book on the water supply and crisis. The index in the back also directs readers to useful pages for their own study or report.

Highly recommended ages 10 and up and anyone who's studying ecosystems and water.

[Macaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered about the water around you? It’s everywhere, but not always safe. We learn about infrastructure problems within our cities. Stories about what happened in Flint, MI with lead in the water because they didn’t plan on what would happen with the old pipes and the water coming from a different place. Chapter two tells us about industrial pollution from chemicals in factories and coal mining. Nancy Castaldo gives us stories from around the world, but also within the United States where there is either water shortage due to climate change or mismanagement. At the end of the book, we get a chapter about how you can make a difference. It starts with conservation, saving water where you can. Recommending a rain barrel to collect rain water for watering gardens and other non-consumption uses. And we hear about young people today who are finding ways to help in their communities and beyond.

Thanks to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a terrific nonfiction book covering the full range of water problems, from drought to flood to water contamination from different sources, explained in an age appropriate way. You travel to Flint MI, Venice Italy, Tucson AZ, and many more locations throughout the world to learn “first hand” about water crises. One weakness, from my perspective, was the emphasis on water conservation in the home without mentioning animal agriculture as one main driver of people's water usage. It is definitely not a page-turner. Still this is a remarkable work trusting kids with the deep truth. The book was written in 2020, even though it was published this year (2022) and so much of what Ms. Castaldo wrote about was prescient about water crises and international conflict happening right now. Should be required reading for most of us.

[Sooz Hutch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads for a copy of this book! I had recently talked with my students about the Flint water crisis so decided to pick this one up to learn more. This book had so many different chapters about the water crisis! I learned so much (like I didn’t truly know what fracking consisted of before this). It had not only facts but cade studies to follow along that made this crisis more in your face and real knowing this is happening! A lot of the information though is only up to 2020 so I am curious to see what/if anything has changed since then! Overall I enjoyed learning and it makes me want to do what I can to help this crisis as well!

[BookofCons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Algonquin Young Readers for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Over the past few years I've tried to be water conscious. Turning off the running water while I brush my teeth. Taking a shower instead of a bath. Anything to conserve water. Nancy Castaldo goes into detail on how the water crisis matters and how it is effecting all of us. This book has great information and delivers it in a very understandable way.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerful and important book for young (and older) readers, especially those who see their future world in environmental crisis. Very well organized and presented in full text and inserted short additions and passages that make it both interesting and functional for use as full text and also as a research resource.
Hard facts but with realistic approaches to strategies to save our future.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passionate but factual look at various challenges affecting water availability around the world, but with an emphasis on America. Sometimes pipes fail -- see Flint. Sometimes pollution seeps in. Sometimes groundwater supplies fall too fast, or populations grow too big. Castaldo works hard to present all sides of an issue, while explaining the science behind some of the problems. There's an attempt to be optimistic at the end, with possible solutions and also measures individuals can take now.

[Andrew Blok]

This book, geared at younger readers, offers a good overview of the problems with water quality and quantity around the United States and the world. It's clear and concise. It offers clear explanations and possible solutions and personal actions to take to address the multiple crises facing the planet's water supply.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally didn't realize this was a YA book when I grabbed it off the library shelf. I decided to read it anyways to see how issues regarding water would be presented to young people. I think Nancy Castaldo did a pretty good job. She hit most of the main forms of water crises such as pollution, scarcity, and sea-level rise. I think the only thing really missing was flooding from non-sea-level-rise sources. All in all, I think it's a fully accessible and good place for young people and adults as well to learn more about something that will be one of the 21st century's biggest issues.

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important read, giving an overview of various water issues around the world. A bit bleak at times, but ends on a note of hope detailing work being done as well as listing ways, both big and small that every person can do to help with the global water crisis.

[Mary Tharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information.

[CCPL Buzz]

RPD

[Elley Shin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and scary topic needed to be brought up to people's attention. I'm just not sure how much attention this will grab from younger readers.

[LilReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out boring but by the end I wanted to be doing more to protect my water, and know how it's being treated.