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1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

The second book in the ThinkCities series explores water as a precious, finite resource, tracing its journey from source, through the city, and back again.

Living in cities where water flows effortlessly from our taps and fountains, it's easy to take it for granted. City of Water, the second book in the ThinkCities series, shines a light on the water system that is vital for our health and well-being. The narrative traces the journey of water from the forests, mountains, lakes, rivers and wetlands that form the watershed, through pipes and treatment facilities, into our taps, fire hydrants and toilets, then out through storm and sewer systems toward wastewater treatment plants and back into the watershed.

Along the way we discover that some of the earliest cities with water systems date back to the Indus Valley in 2500 BC; that in 1920 only 1 percent of the US population had indoor plumbing; that if groundwater is used up too quickly, the land can actually sink; and more. The text is sprinkled with fun and surprising facts — some water fountains in Paris offer sparkling water, and scientists are working to extract microscopic particles of precious metals found in sewage.

Readers are encouraged to think about water as a finite resource, and to take action to prevent our cities and watersheds from becoming more polluted. More than 2 billion people in the world are without access to safe, fresh water at home. As the world's population grows, along with pollution and climate change, access to clean water is becoming an urgent issue.

Includes practical steps that kids can take to help conserve water.

The ThinkCities series is inspired by the urgency for new approaches to city life as a result of climate change, population growth and increased density. It highlights the challenges and risks cities face, but also offers hope for building resilience, sustainability and quality of life as young people advocate for themselves and their communities.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3
Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.

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  • Reviews

    • Booklist

      March 1, 2021
      Grades 3-6 Most North American children in urban areas simply turn on a faucet to get their water. But where does water really come from when you live in a city? This informational picture book opens with a brief look at ancient aqueducts and water works, as well as dire realities confronting more than two billion people around the world who still don't have safe, fresh drinking water. It then focuses on urban water systems and how cities can protect this natural resource. Double-page spreads feature short text passages along with illustrations in soft golds, pinks, and greens that contrast with abundant teal water. Illustrations with people reflect the diversity one would find in urban areas. While the text gives examples from around the world, the focus is on how U.S. and Canadian cities clean, store, and use water. Other sections explain how some cities reuse "graywater" and wastewater (like Toronto, which turns treated solid matter into fertilizer pellets for farmers) and why water may taste or even feel different. Water conservation tips conclude this insightful STEM offering.

      COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • Kirkus

      April 15, 2021
      Everything you might never have wanted to know about water treatment and supply. Endpapers feature a simple treatment of the water cycle, preparing readers to engage in a deep, detailed look at the way humans interact with the world's water. "It's easy not to think about water if you live in a city where it flows from the faucet with a mere flick of the wrist," the introduction notes, but it's difficult to forget water's importance after reading these gentle, informative pages. Brusque brush strokes join muted primary colors to depict urban life in a way that is both realistic and artful. Compositions vary, almost always depicting movement while still leaving space for hefty chunks of text--no small task. Some illustrations show roughly accurate cross sections of above- and belowground environments while others combine huge close-ups with distant backgrounds in an abstract way; once or twice, proportions just seem off. Fun facts ("In every city of a million people, there's at least $13 million worth of metal in the sewage!") join sobering observations ("About 90 percent of the watersheds that provide water for the world's largest cities have been polluted or degraded over the last century"). A "What can we do to help?" closing section lists suggestions for would-be water protectors; 13 are individual lifestyle changes while just two involve collective action. People appear in varied, mostly light or light-brown skin tones. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.6-by-17.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 64% of actual size.) Educational and stylish. (glossary, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 7-12)

      COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • School Library Journal

      May 1, 2021

      Gr 4-7-City dwellers may take water for granted, but it's a finite resource-and where does it come from? This welcome new title provides the answer for middle grade readers. After Curtis's A Forest in the City, this is the second in a series addressing environmental concerns affecting cities, where many young readers live. The writer opens with the history of water systems and the sad, surprising lack of such systems even today in many parts of the world. She describes water sources (watersheds, aquifers, and bottled water), aqueducts, and reservoirs that transport water to the cities, and treatment systems including desalination (using the Canadian term). The book then moves on to storage and usage of treated water (including leaks), the problem of polluted public waters, and the ways water can vary in taste and even feel. At the other end of the system is wastewater collection and disposal, which includes what happens to storm waters and to the now-recycled waters that have passed through these extensive systems. The book concludes by suggesting ways readers can help preserve this precious resource. Spread by spread, this systematic explanation is enlivened by Dockrill's brush-and-ink illustrations, which show a diversity of people. The back matter includes a glossary, selected sources, and acknowledgments. The endpapers illustrate the familiar water cycle. VERDICT Cogently fills an information gap for school and public libraries.-Kathleen Isaacs, Children's Literature Specialist, Pasadena, MD

      Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • The Horn Book

      January 1, 2021
      "The history of cities begins with water." Curtis clearly explains the process of transporting water from watersheds and aquifers to cities, mentioning the feats of engineering that have been developed over the centuries. Making effective use of real-world examples, she covers methods of distribution, the cost and danger of neglecting infrastructure, and the need for equitable and safe distribution of water resources. Featuring inclusive and diverse city scenes, the muted-color mixed-media illustrations ably support the accessible text. A glossary, "What can we do to help?" suggestions, related websites, and three recommended books are appended. A water-cycle diagram is included on the end papers.

      (Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Formats

  • Kindle Book
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Kindle restrictions

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:1130
  • Text Difficulty:8-9

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