Reviewer: Matilde Ribeiro, Std. VIII, Baldwin Girls' High School, Bengaluru
Book: Silent Spring | Author: Rachel Carson
'Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson is one of the classics of scientific and ecological writing. It is regarded as a key book that influenced our understanding of the interdependence of humans and the physical environment around us. The book exposed the destruction of wildlife through the widespread use of pesticides, and led to the 1972 ban on DDT. It also drew attention to the government's heedless spraying of other, stronger pesticides like aldrin, parathion and dieldrin from airplanes flying over populated areas, to eradicate insects that were harmless compared to the poisonous and carcinogenic insecticides.
'Silent Spring', published in 1962, begins with the story of a traditional small American town, set in the middle of lush green fields and woodland. Migratory birds flock to the woods, fish swim in the stream and wildflowers grow along the sides of the roads. The fictional town is portrayed as a microcosm of mankind as a whole, perfectly united with the flora and fauna that share our world.
This bucolic bliss is one day destroyed when a mysterious illness grips the inhabitants of the town, affecting the plants and animals. Birds no longer sing, the roads are lined with a brown tangle of weeds, people fall sick and a white and granular powder covers the houses. The changes seem inexplicable, but, as Carson explains, 'No witchcraft, no enemy action had silenced the rebirth of new life in this stricken world. The people had done it themselves.'
She then goes on to describe the various governmental efforts to contain the spread of insects like the cabbage aphid and the Japanese beetle, and the negative effects of the enthusiastic spraying of carcinogens. By the 1960s, dead birds and squirrels were common sights; victims of this eradication program. People living in areas where spraying had taken place were afflicted with cancer and other lethal diseases. As Carson puts it, the insecticides and pesticides were being sprayed 'indiscriminately from the skies', with wide-ranging consequences affecting all the species in the targeted ecosystem. Most of all, humans, who had done the spraying, were being affected.
The irony, Carson explains, is that nature fights back against artificial intervention. Deliberate killing of a particular species leads to an imbalance in the ecosystem, as in the case of the Kaibab deer, a species found in Arizona. A number of predators prevented the deer from overpopulating the region and jeopardizing their own food supply. Then, in 1906, a campaign to conserve the Kaibab deer was launched and the predators were killed. In a few generations, more deer were dying of starvation than had been killed by predators, as the deer had exhausted their own food supply. Similarly, predatory insects help keep the population of their prey under control, thereby helping to balance the environment. To make matters worse, some insects also become resistant to the methods used to eradicate them.
Why I recommend it
Carson's main point is that by spraying these pesticides and keeping reports of the consequences under wraps, the government is deceiving the people and harming the ecosystem. In the long run, she argues, most insects are likely to become resistant to insecticides, while the lives of human beings have already been affected by the futile spraying. This book helped to make the use of chemical hydrocarbons like DDT illegal, and ignited the modern-day ecological movement.
Reviewer: Shria Seth, class XI, Venkateshwar Global School
Book: All of the Bright Places | Author: Jennifer Niven
This is a heartbreakingly vivid story that ultimately conveys hope while remaining true to reality. Author Jennifer Niven's believable, relatable voices alternate between high school seniors Finch and Violet, but it's Finch's voice that really drives the novel. Engrossing and compelling, like watching a train wreck, it leaves the reader rooting for him to make his way through this world. Violet's voice is equally realistic and believable, and people will really relate to her struggles to emerge from grief even if they haven't experienced that kind of grief themselves. I think it is absolutely brilliant that Niven put links to websites that help people dealing with these issues. The book makes readers realize that there are people out there to help them. WWhen Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.
Why I recommend it
Niven raises a lot of questions about life, death, suicide, mental illness, physical and emotional abuse, and how we stigmatize those who suffer from pain we can't see. She doesn't spoon-feed any answers, but these issues are things we all think about from time to time, and this novel provides a visceral, beautiful way to start a crucial discussion.And if all of this isn’t reason enough for you to read this book, all I’m going to say is that this novel will make you feel all sorts of emotions at once, on full brightness.
Reviewer: Ananya S Mallia, class VIII, The Delta Study, Fortkochi
Book: Forge Your Future | Author: Dr A P J Abdul Kalam
From the introduction of the book it is remarkable that how, APJ Abdul Kalam, the 11th president of India continues to be such a popular public figure. He is an inspiration for the Indian youth. The mentoring, the solutions, the direction, the philosophy he provides are based on the wisdom of his own experiences, as he knows well the trials and tribulations of the hard rocky road of life that he has walked from Rameswaram to the Rashtrapati Bhawan. This book is like a roadmap for life which one can to turn to when needed, and it is reassured that there is always a way out of any situation and that we will be able reach our dream destination.
Why I recommend it
An inspiring read! You get an an insight into the mind of one of the most remarkable leaders of contemporary India. Even though Kalam is not with us anymore, this words will always inspire young Indians to live the life the of their dreams.
Reviewer: Supraja Manivannan, IX, Sri Sankara Senior Sec.
School Book: Scarlet | Author: Marissa Meyer
I read recently read 'Scarlet' which is the second book in the Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer. Its absolutely a terrific science fiction which involves the mysterical life of Scarlet Benoit. Scarlet's grandmother goes missing and she travels almost halfway around the globe with Wolf, a street fighter who may have information to her grandmother's whereabouts. Together they meet Cinder, a cyborg mechanic and encounter the vicious Lunar Queen Levana. And an amazing adventure follows.
Why I recommend it
I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to all age groups.
Reviewer: Jothsana Jaimon, Class VIII, BGS National Public School, Bangalore.
Book: The Merchant of Venice | Author: William Shakespeare
'The Merchant Of Venice' is an exciting and inspirational book written by William Shakespeare. This book taught me about love, compassion and intelligence. The story revolves around Antonio who is a light hearted money lender and merchant, Antonio's dearest friend Bassanio who has no fortune when compared to Antonio, Bassanio's lover and wife Portia, and Shylock who is an unsure man and has amassed an immense fortune by lending money at great interest to Christian merchants. The story describes how Antonio borrows money from Shylock at great interest for Bassanio and how Portia saves Antonio from the wicked hands of Shylock.
The story teaches how we should have honour in our thoughts and actions.
Why I recommend it
It is a book that has encouraged me to study and learn about the other works of Shakespeare and many renowned writers like him.