Plants vs. Meats: The Health, History, and Ethics of What we Eat

Gr 6 Up—With information about new eating regimes and environmental and health concerns coming out each year, this is a timely, student-friendly primer on the historical, nutritional, and ethical impacts of what and how humans eat. Discussing popular diets, from paleo to locavore, as well as the history of the growth and consumption of food from prehistoric times to the present, this book presents facts from both sides of the vegetarian-omnivore debate, leaving readers to make their own food choices. Sections on the business of farming and the environmental impact of raising animals and crops are eye-opening, highlighting fascinating tidbits ("it takes 441 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef"). References to pop culture figures, such as Beyonce, who is a vegan, and a final chapter on recent food developments, including 3-D-printed food, add further appeal. The material is well organized and well labeled and supported by interesting and colorful images and sidebars.