Magic School Bus & Climate Change

The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge     Joanna Cole   Scholastic 2010

One notable feature of the older Magic School Bus books is the sheer amount of detailed density that appears on each page. Oftentimes this format would get too busy, and it would take on the characteristics of an Eye Spy book in its busyness. Under such circumstances, it is easy for the reader to get bogged down.

This title is sparser in layout, and I would count that as a strength. It is still chock full of information, yet it is far more accessible. Additionally, it is substantially easier to adapt into a read aloud.

This book retains the examples of Frizzle’s students’ “notes” and “reports”. Not only do they model the research process for the reader, but they also provide information on the topic in a way that does not interrupt the narrative of the story.

When Ms. Frizzle brings an old book about the Earth to the class, they notice that it is out of date. Ms. Frizzle then takes the class on a field trip around the Earth in order to update the information in the book. In short, they are cross checking their sources. Additionally, as the readers take in the “student work” interspersed in the book, they are gathering “additional sources” as well.

As the students journey, they see the impacts of global warming throughout the Earth. They then investigate the causes of climate change. There is also a section that shows how various (both standard and alternative) electric generators work.

The book ends with ideas and suggestions that kids can use to help remedy the situation.