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Enter the Earth is the first of a new series of books geared to early readers and published by the notable environmental publishing house, Chelsea Green. If the first book is any indication of things to come, these books will be enjoyed by young adults as well as the recommended “9 and up” target audience. In this book Elizabeth is the first of the Gaia Girls to discover that she has been granted special powers by a living embodiment of Mother Earth. Young Elizabeth must learn to use her powers responsibly to help Gaia survive the effects of modern humanity. In this case she must help save her community from a huge factory farm that wants to take over all of the neighboring farmland, including her family’s organic farm. This book combines a very humorous, enjoyable story with the message that we all must work together to save the Earth from forces that destroy.
Enter the Earth is the story of Elizabeth Angier, a 9 year old girl living on a farm in Upstate New York. When her family farm is threatened by a CAFO (factory farm), Elizabeth encounters Gaia, in the form of an otter, and is given unique powers that she can use to help save both her farm and Gaia herself.This was a fast moving story, and I enjoyed it as an adult. I did have some problems with it though. It was written in the stilted manner of books aimed at 8-10 year olds, but the language and amount of unnecessary detail seemed intended for an older audience. I have trouble seeing 8-10 year olds choosing to wade through the junk to get to the heart of the story, and yet, I think anyone older would be likely to be turned off by the stilted writing. (I was.)Also the theme of the book seems to be that it is OK to use violence and force to solve problems. I don't think it is necessary or even fun to read books that only have themes that you agree with, but considering that this series of books is promoted as a way of encouraging youngsters to "care for the earth", I do feel that it is saying that the methods presented in the book are good methods.There is a section at the end of the book titled "Author's Thoughts" in which the author states that she does not think that the use of force either through personal violence or destruction of private property are good ways to deal with problems, but this section is separate from the book and definitely directed at adults so I don't think it would have any affect on most children reading this story.
I really enjoyed this. I gave the book four stars despite one big problem I had with it. I can dismiss the issue since it is a novel directed at children and young adults - admittedly it provides a wonderful set of environmental ethics and has a certain Carson-esque (Rachel Carson - Silent Spring) theme to it. That is, all of nature is a part of a greater system of ecology. You ruin one little part of it, and really the whole thing can go to hell. The analogy of the little toe that Welles creates is clear and concise and will be accessible by children. My issue, in case your curious (this, I suppose, can be considered a spoiler until you're a little into the book): When Elizabeth shows Will (Buffalo Breath, as she likes to call him) that she can be swallowed by the trees and transported by the Earth, Will doesn't react how I and any other reasonable person would expect him to. He went days... DAYS!... without confronting her about it. Actually, I'm not upset that he didn't confront her. But if I saw someone's young daughter swallowed by a tree you can bet your ass I'm going to be rushing to her house to notify a parent. He didn't go by her house for days! I can suspend my disbelief - I realize this is a fantasy novel, but Will has no fantastical involvement in the world and, therefore, should not consider it a fantasy world where things like Tree-Transport can happen. His reaction, in fewer words, is NOT believable even in the world that Welles creates. Oh, one more problem, towards the end of the book the word "super-duper" was used. I despise that word. Perhaps it brings me back to the days of Barney the Dinosaur that I've repressed to the deepest abyss of my brain (maybe I'm being too harsh on the big purple bugger)... but really - I don't like that word haha. Again, overall a great book and I hope that children and young adults with (and without) an interest in nature are given the chance to read this book. I will definitely be passing this on to my little sister! Lee Welles visited my college last semester (SUNY Oneonta) for a reading and I'm now sorry that I had to miss it.
What an amazing book! It inspires an attitude of respect, understanding, and love for the earth and also educates about things like how an organic farm works, how everything in a garden helps it grow, and how big animal farms are harmful! I love this book! It is definitely not just for kids. I can't wait to read the others in the series.
This book is awesome...I even met the author and she was really cool..very true to saving our worl and i respect that a great deal...Defentily one to read..it's a quick read also .. For ANY ages
Sam Spade meets Gandalf in some of the most fun modern genre fiction out there!
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