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Did you know starvation kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined? Around the world, millions of people go to bed hungry every night. Farmers and ranchers produce enough food to feed everyone, but much of that food does not get to the people who need it most. In some places, food has become a precious commodity—almost like gold. In this book, author Kathlyn Gay explores the complicated interaction between food, business, politics, and the environment. She examines the international food aid system; giant "factory farms," which grow and slaughter animals using assembly-line techniques; and the genetic engineering of seeds, plants, and animals. These systems and practices promise to get more food to the people who need it—but the promises don't always pan out. Worse, many modern agricultural practices are harmful to the environment, to workers who product the food, and even to consumers who eat it. Gay explains that food politics will only become more complicated as Earth's climate grows warmer, bringing rising sea levels, shifting growing seasons, and shrinking freshwater supplies.
Did you know starvation kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined? Around the world, millions of people go to bed hungry every night. Farmers and ranchers produce enough food to feed everyone, but much of that food does not get to the people who need it most. In some places, food has become a precious commodity—almost like gold. In this book, author Kathlyn Gay explores the complicated interaction between food, business, politics, and the environment. She examines the international food aid system; giant "factory farms," which grow and slaughter animals using assembly-line techniques; and the genetic engineering of seeds, plants, and animals. These systems and practices promise to get more food to the people who need it—but the promises don't always pan out. Worse, many modern agricultural practices are harmful to the environment, to workers who product the food, and even to consumers who eat it. Gay explains that food politics will only become more complicated as Earth's climate grows warmer, bringing rising sea levels, shifting growing seasons, and shrinking freshwater supplies.
Due to publisher restrictions the library cannot purchase additional copies of this title, and we apologize if there is a long waiting list. Be sure to check for other copies, because there may be other editions available.
Due to publisher restrictions the library cannot purchase additional copies of this title, and we apologize if there is a long waiting list. Be sure to check for other copies, because there may be other editions available.
About the Author-
Kathlyn Gay has been writing professionally since the day her daugher was born in 1957, selling her first article after she got out of the hospital. Now with over 100 books published, including "first readers," middle grade and young adult books, encyclopedias, teacher manuals, and portions of textbooks, she still finds her life enriched by writing nonfiction work focusing on social and environmental issues, culture, and history. In recent years, she has collaborated (primarily by email) with family members across the country, sons Martin and Douglas Gay and daughter Karen Hamilton. She's married to Arthur L. Gay, a retired educator. They have lived in Illinois, California, Indiana, and now Florida. Family members include two grandchildren, Nissa Beth Gay in California and Dakota Sandoval-Gay in Washington state.
Reviews-
September 1, 2012
Gr 9 Up-World hunger is not a new issue, but a heightened awareness of what we eat, how it is produced, where it comes from, and why people around the globe are still dying of starvation in this time of apparent plenty is garnering more and more attention all the time. Gay presents a solid introduction to the science, politics, and social concerns surrounding food and its production. Myriad issues are discussed, including such current topics as genetically modified foods, seed saving, agribusiness, and many, many more that affect individuals looking to eat more conscientiously as well as those trying to eradicate global hunger. The subjects are presented in a fairly balanced manner, with sources from both sides of the more controversial issues quoted and noted, though chapter titles such as "Frankenfoods" and "Industrial Farming: Hazardous to Your Health?" provide a glimpse at the author's leanings. Sidebars of slightly tangential, yet equally intriguing, topics, such as the Green Revolution or food recycling, supplement the primary discussion of world hunger. Photographs and diagrams are informative, and the end matter is extremely useful, especially the further-reading suggestions. Though all are likely to agree that world hunger is a problem that needs solving, there is little agreement on the best methods for reaching that solution; this title provides an accessible, up-to-date primer for interested readers.-Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from September 15, 2012 An intelligent examination of food that probes how it is produced, procured and delivered to consumers--or not. While many Americans and citizens of other wealthy nations take food for granted because of its abundance and availability in seemingly endless variety year-round, millions elsewhere, even in the United States, fare terribly. Gay explores the topic of food as a commodity in a way young readers have perhaps never encountered. Writing with skill, clarity and a finely tuned sense of fairness on all sides of issues, she conveys what a complicated business getting food to the table is. The word business is not to be underestimated, as today's food culture involves multinational corporations in addition to governments and politics, science and technology, and the environment and global warming. Excellent color photographs and illuminating, easy-to-understand charts and diagrams enhance readers' comprehension. Some of this may be difficult to digest: Descriptions of the treatment of food animals before and after slaughter and the handling of industrial waste might turn some stomachs; photos of starving youngsters are heart-wrenching. Yet the outlook isn't completely dire. Gay points to optimistic news, such as the sustainable-agriculture movement, for example. Documentation is sound, though the bibliography offers few child-friendly titles--which perhaps speaks to this book's singularity. A sobering, thought-provoking discussion that provides, yes, much food for thought. (glossary, source notes, bibliography, websites, index) (Nonfiction. 12 & up)
COPYRIGHT(2012) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Starred review from December 1, 2012 Grades 8-12 *Starred Review* An eye-catching jacket photo leads to a well-researched presentation of worldwide issues related to food. Chapters explore global and American hunger, the shift from family farms to corporate farming, the dangers of industrial farming, the effects of climate change on agriculture, the health risks of genetically engineered plants and animals, issues of food safety, the clash between public health and agricultural interests, and food policy for the future. While an entire book could be devoted to each topic, Gay does a fine job of presenting information on key issues along with specific examples that make them meaningful. Sidebars present topics such as food recycling and city dwellers keeping chickens. Though the chapter title Frankenfoods indicates a certain perspective on genetically engineered foodstuffs, Gay reports the point of view of agribusiness as well as the concerns of consumers, farmers, governments, and environmental groups. Clear color photos take readers to locations as diverse as a Colorado meatpacking plant, a Kenyan maize field, and the White House organic garden. Colorful graphics include a world map indicating relative hunger levels in different countries and a chart showing household incomes and the percentage spent on food in seven nations. An informative, well-documented resource on a timely topic.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)
January 1, 2013 Maps, stock color photographs, and sidebars combine with a detail-rich text to present a comprehensive look at the world food crisis. Imbalances in access, quantity, and quality along with production, distribution, and ownership are fully explored; the influence of politics, technology, and climate on the food markets today and in the future are also addressed. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
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Bahrain, Egypt, Hong Kong, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen
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