A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History - Hardcover

Cherry, Lynne

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0152005420 ISBN 13: 9780152005429

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1992

Synopsis

Recounts the history of the Nashua River in New England, from its crystal clear beginnings, to its death by pollution, to its amazing recovery, in order to present one of the most remarkable environmental success stories of our time.

About this title

About the Author

LYNNE CHERRY has devoted her life to sharing her concern about environmental issues with others. Her important children's books also include The Armadillo from Amarillo and two tales from the Amazon rain forest: The Great Kapok Tree and The Shaman's Apprentice. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Reviews

Grade 1-4-- In the 15th century, when native people first settled on the banks of the river now called the Nashua, it was a fertile and beautiful place. By the 1960s, the river valley had been ravaged by many years of serious pollution , and fish, birds, and other animals were no longer seen in the area. Through the efforts of Marion Stoddart and the Nashua River Watershed Association, laws were passed that resulted in the restoration of this river and the protection of all rivers. The author gets high marks for documenting the negative impact of industry on the environment and for highlighting the difference one determined person can make. However, young readers lacking historical background need more facts and dates than are included here. Cherry uses borders on pages that detail, for example, some of the inventions conceived in the 19th century; inexplicably, most are labeled but only some are dated. Her note and the maps on the endpapers, which include a timeline, also help to place the events in context. The watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations are sweeping in their subject matter and adequately convey the physical deterioration of the watershed. However, one picture is misleading; although all the animals depicted live in this habitat, they would not all be seen together. The current concern over the environment will make this a sought-after title, since it is brief enough to read aloud to groups of children. With assistance from informed adult readers, it makes an important contribution to literature on water pollution. --Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, CT
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Cherry traces the ecological evolution of New England's Nashua River--how it was respected by generations of Indians, polluted and ultimately deadened in the wake of the industrial revolution and restored in recent years through the efforts of concerned citizens. She delivers this message with a heavier hand than she used in The Great Kapok Tree ; her writing is more complex and ponderous, and less accessible and inviting, than in the earlier work. While this book provides a solid history, it does little to bring the issues or pivotal figures to life. The colorless account of the citizens' battle to clean up the river, for example, reflects little of the passions and energy involved. Though not her best work, Cherry's illustrations tell the story more effectively. (One allegorical painting of an Indian chief's head--superimposed on trees--crying into the river, however, jars with the naturalistic style.) Of particular benefit are the handsome, intricately detailed borders that surround the text: depictions of various period artifacts provide artistic interest and added information. Ages 6-10.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A pictorial history of Massachusetts and New Hampshire's Nashua River, from its valley's settlement 7,000 years ago by ``Indian peoples'' until its recent reclamation. An introductory note summarizes pivotal changes: the arrival of the English; industrialization; and the successful effort, begun in the 60's and largely credited to activist Marion Stoddart, to clean up the river and restore its wildlife. Each double spread examines one period or topic and includes a brief, informative text, attractively bordered with miniature illustrations of significant wildlife, artifacts, or scenes, and a handsome, full-page painting. Contrasts--e.g., between the lush valley the Native Americans found and the dying river, sluggishly running red with dye and pulp from a paper mill--are dramatically telling. An important, intelligently presented story that is emblematic of the need for myriad similar conservation efforts. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 6-10) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Publication date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0152005420
• ISBN 13: 9780152005429
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40