When the World Runs Dry

December 1, 2021
Grades 5-8 Readers will quickly understand that there isn't just one water crisis in Castaldo's latest book; many troubling problems fall under this banner. At their core, all share the common issue of people around the world not having access to safe water for drinking, bathing, brushing their teeth, and cooking. The causes for this are myriad, from climate change to toxic pollution, and Castaldo clearly walks readers through nine areas of concern, each with its own chapter, and uses the final two chapters to discuss possible solutions and ways to help. The book is impeccably researched and sourced, but its real strength is the number of case studies (most drawn from the U.S.) used to illustrate the crises' devastating impact on individuals and communities, especially those of poorer and minority groups. For all this, the text needs more visual aids, particularly for the science discussed, and a more robust glossary. This book holds substantial value as a classroom text (used with teacher assistance), but readers may struggle to unpack all of its content on their own.

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January 17, 2022
In this comprehensive nonfiction volume by Castaldo, an introduction and 11 chapters inform widely about water-related issues, including infrastructure and supply complications; industrial, agricultural, fracking, and pharmaceuticals and accidental pollution; and sea level rise, with final chapters offering potential solutions and opportunities to make a difference. The author successfully contextualizes the water crisis as something that affects everyone, with tacit acknowledgement of Indigenous peoples and their communities, as well as those in Flint, Mich., and citizens in Chennai, India; Cape Town, South Africa; and Kenya who suffer from water toxicity or scarcity. The narrative balances wide-ranging information with accessible prose: “What went wrong in Flint? Like so many cities, Flint had an aging water infrastructure.... Residents were not notified until after the lead was in their bodies.” Black-and-white photos, plentiful subheads, quotations, and inset boxes add context and visual interest to this invaluable tome that underscores an imperative crisis. Back matter includes resources, a glossary, source notes, and an index. Ages 10–up.