Glaciers may seem like static sheets of ice, but Sanchez gives readers a more comprehensive look at these frozen formations and their role in shaping the earth and its environment. As she scaffolds concepts and terms about glaciers, such as types of glaciers and their layers and zones, the author describes relevant historic and ongoing scientific research. With much of this research revealing that glaciers are melting and will continue to melt at alarming rates, the author also focuses on the environmental impact. Again, Sanchez makes this serious issue relatable by explaining how glaciers help keep the planet cool, serve as habitats for keystone species, and provide natural resources for humans, while also highlighting more scientific discoveries. A variety of colorful visuals, including charts, graphs, photographs, and large illustrations of glaciers and scientists in action, add to the accessibility. The final chapters touch on bleak outcomes if humans don't change their course and sustainable actions readers can take. An interesting back matter feature is a list of types of scientists studying glaciers.

Glaciers on this planet are vanishing--learn how we know, why we should care, and what we can do. The author of Itch (2018) and Rotten (2019), both illustrated by Gilbert Ford, turns her attention to another underappreciated part of the natural world: glaciers. With a foreword by glaciologist Jill Pelto and an introduction laying out the problem, Sanchez prepares her readers for the cold hard truth to come. Chapter by chapter, she explains the important roles glaciers play in our world, how we know they are melting, and why that's happening--clearly explaining climate change. She shows how ice cores reveal climate history, introduces animals and plants that thrive in glacier country, and describes what the future might bring. Sanchez concludes with suggestions for action, personal and communal. At several points, she brings in Indigenous points of view. The author addresses readers directly with compelling evidence for her thesis that this is yet another manifestation of climate change that will wreak havoc on the world we know. Unfamiliar words are bolded and defined in context as well as in a glossary. Encouraging readers to take action, Sanchez includes in the backmatter a long list of science specialties concerned with glaciers. There are occasional photographs, helpful diagrams, and artistic depictions of glacial scenes throughout, breaking up the text and adding appeal; people depicted in Padula's illustrations are diverse. An important perspective on our changing climate. (author's note, additional resources, select bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.