Earth Day is every day. In fact, it's been going on for much longer than the official proclamation of an Earth Day. As you'll discover, it's been going on for not just years but decades. Centuries, even. This book gives reference to more than just the happenings and reactions to an official Earth Day but takes us back to see where the idea of taking care of the earth we live on began.

I won't try to summarize the history of the goal of saving the earth, obviously, but will say that Messner does her usual excellent job of combining fact, humor, and thought provoking bits of information and comments throughout. While I can't claim to have read the entire series, this one differed from some recent ones I've read in that it seems to be more wide-ranging. By that I mean it covers a vast array of time and place. We may think of Earth Day as a single event but its beginnings were wide spread and its impact felt for centuries before someone got around to making it an official day. I have Native American roots and was delighted to see their role given attention. Also, as someone who has always been fascinated by the Mayan culture, the reminder that the terraces and reservoirs that were used by the Maya people were some of the most visible means of cultivating our earth's resources while helping protect them for the long term, too. And these efforts are simply the tip of the iceberg.

Bottom line, there is a great deal of info to be digested here as well as suggestions on how we as both individuals and groups can preserve our world for future generations. I mean, maybe you'd like to go live on barren Mars but I think I'll stick to good ol' planet Earth. Messner's writing style flows nicely and is easy to understand and digest. Even better, she documents her sources and there are lots of both fun and informative illustrations to help readers grasp what they are reading. The ample use of sidebars and color helps. There is certainly more to see, read, and learn. Thanks #RandomHoouseChildren's books for sharing this early copy with me. The retired teacher in me thoroughly enjoyed it and, yes, learned more than a few things.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from History Smashers: Earth Day and the Environment. I didn’t think there was enough information on Earth Day to comprise a whole book so this book surprised me. Messner starts by discussing humans’ early impacts on the environment. She covers air pollution, pesticides, and environmental protests. She also addresses the fleeting public support for Earth Day and the work that is still left to be done. She ends by addressing climate change and highlight contemporary climate activists.

This book is great addition to a much loved series! I’m always looking for new high interest nonfiction to add my classroom. I actually use some of the other History Smashers books for book clubs in my sixth grade classroom. This will make a great addition!

This was an excellent book full of information on the history of the environmental movement, climate change, and environmental pollution.

We have recently read books about climate change and about racial inequality and this book tied both subjects together neatly as it pointed out that it is poor people of color who have to deal most with the effects of climate change and also who often have to deal with toxic waste.

The information was presented clearly and simply in an easily digestible and easy to understand way. The paragraphs of text were broken up by sidebars and comic panels. Kiddo (10) really enjoyed it and it provided him (and me) with a lot to think about.

I would highly recommend it for schools and I intend to read more books in this series to my kiddo very soon.

*Thanks to Random House Books for Young Readers for providing an early copy for review.

Excellent information well-presented and easily understood. The information is documented and made more real with the use of photos and illustrations. This grandma truly enjoyed reading it and pre-ordered copy to share.
Great for gifting to anyone, but especially to school library and your local public library. I feel that it is totally fun for ESL, too!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected advance proof from Random House Children's | Random House Books for Young Readers via NetGalley. Thank you!
Avail Mar 11, 2025 #HistorySmashersEarthDayAndTheEnvironment by @KateMessner #NonFiction #HistorySmashersSeriesBk10 @randomhousekids ***** #MiddleGrades #EarthDay #Ecology #History #SavingTheEnvironment

I love these books! My two middle school boys love history and the ease books are super fun and make it interesting.

As an elementary school librarian, I'm always looking for fun ways to get kids to read books other than fiction. These are fun and interesting and keep their attention.

Thank you netgalley for this Arc in exchange for an honest review

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children's through NetGalley.
Messner's series has been a huge hit and this latest book will provide opportunities for dialogue as well. Readers learn that people were concerned about the environment long before Earth Day began in the 1970s. We see scientists and activists pushing for regulations and care of our planet beginning centuries ago. Information is shared in an easy to read format for middle grade readers though adults should read this series too. The author has done extensive research and shares the bibliography, timeline, and book recommendations for further exploration.

We LOVE the History Smashers series in this house. We own a handful and check out the others from the library on the regular, so we were super excited to get an ARC of Earth Day and the Environment! My 7yo is a budding environmentalist and has a very strong sense of right/wrong so this was right up his alley. Tons of information presented in an easy to digest manner and the story prompted lots more research and plenty of good discussion. My 7yo preferred this one over some of the others as it covered less of a specific event and more of a broad range of interconnected events/mindsets throughout history.

We will be looking to purchase the physical copy of this book for our quickly growing collection!

Another great installment of History Smashers by the amazing Kate Messner!
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The first Earth Day was April 1970, but did you know humans have been thinking about the environment for centuries? In this MG nonfiction book you’ll learn about the Native people across the world who developed sustainable farming practices, women in 18th century India who stood up to protect trees and an amateur scientist who discovered the science behind global warming in the 1850s.
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Lots of great facts and info in this one. We can always count on Messner for great research and sharing the truth for our students. Environmentalists need to pick this one up when it releases March 11!

CW: global warning, animal death/extinction, environmentalism issues

History Smashers is one of the most checked out book series in my elementary library! I was so excited when NetGalley approved me for an early sneak peak at this one. This History Smashers book was awesome! The content was very informative (starting with colonists and their fashion choices and finishing with ways we can help with climate change) and the pictures were engaging! I am looking forward to purchasing a copy for the library when this book gets published! I know my students are going to love it!

Once again, Kate Messner does an amazing job of breaking down the history and misconceptions. This really helped to spur action and give context to kids today about the state of the environment and how it needs to be protected. As always, there were so many facts that I did not know, I look forward to future installments.