Green Books Campaign: Girls Gone Green Review & Giveaway

Summary: Hayden Panettiere, Mischa Barton, Ellen Page— everyone’s going green these days, but saving the environment is a large task for anyone to take on, especially a teenager. Yet the everyday green girls profiled here have a passion—to do just that. They’ve stepped up, taken the initiative, and made their voices heard, and in doing so, they have helped to effect change—from creating a cosmetics line free of toxic chemicals to trying to conquer global warming to encouraging the use of wind power. Filled with stories from real girls who made a difference, plus lots of celebrity green girls who are doing their part to help out, Girls Gone Green gives girls everywhere the inspiration to do something to help their world. It doesn’t matter how small the change is—it only matters that you make the effort to bring about that change. -- Puffin

This review is part of the Green Books campaign. Today 200 bloggers take a stand to support books printed in an eco-friendly manner by simultaneously publishing reviews of 200 books printed on recycled or FSC-certified paper. By turning a spotlight on books printed using eco-friendly paper, we hope to raise the awareness of book buyers and encourage everyone to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books.

The campaign is organized for the second time by Eco-Libris, a green company working to make reading more sustainable. We invite you to join the discussion on "green" books and support books printed in an eco-friendly manner! A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on Eco-Libris website.

I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed GIRLS GONE GREEN by Lynn Hirshfield. I was initially drawn to this book because of its cover, and I thought it might be perfect for Booking Daughter, who is 11 years old. It's definitely aimed at girls twelve and up; however, I found that this book had many components that really appealed to me.

Probably the first thing that stuck out to me about GIRLS GONE GREEN is how much fun it was to look at and read. The entire format of the book is perfect for young girls from the foreword by Hayden Panettiere, to the colorful photographs, to the fun fonts and illustrations, to the page layouts. There is definitely a lot happening on each page, and it's all very eye-catching. Quite honestly, I can't imagine a young girl picking up this book and not wanting to read it!

I also appreciated that the book told the stories of real girls who have made a difference. And, I loved that their stories were written in their own words. Not only did this presentation provide a wide-range of "green" success stories, but it also gave the reader a wide variety of writing styles and storytelling voices. In addition to the stories of "normal" girls who accomplished some major green initiatives, there are also a few celebrity stories thrown in. I wasn't as impressed by most of these snippets; however, I'm pretty sure I would have loved these sections as a pre-teen and teen.

GIRLS GONE GREEN is divided into seven chapters according to various green causes -- The Beauty Entrepreneurs and Fashionistas; The Animal Advocates; The Educators and Artists; The Recyclers; The Growers and Grocers; The Defenders of Air, Land and Water; and The Environmental Scientists and Green Engineers. Within each of these chapters are multiple stories of real-life girls who have made a difference in the world. For example, one girl has created her own line of eco-friendly beauty products, while another girl has created her own line of reusable lunch bags, and another one is a major advocated for polar bears and honeybees. All of the stories are extremely interesting and, without a doubt, inspiring. At the end of the book, there is a list of resources for green girls as well as a page with the "My Green Girl Pledge."

There is no doubt that GIRLS GONE GREEN gives readers plenty to think about. Not only did I come up with some ways to make my family's life "greener", but I was also very impressed  with how much these young girls have already accomplished in their lives. In addition, I discovered some valuable products, conservation ideas, websites and other resources that I want to explore further in the upcoming weeks. I hope that every person who picks up GIRLS GONE GREEN will be inspired to make a few changes/sacrifices in their life to make the world a better place.

GIRLS GONE GREEN was printed in the USA on recycled paper; and some of the text was set in Ecofont, which omits parts of each letter. By omitting certain portions of each letter, an ink cartridge or toner lasts longer because up to 20 percent less ink is used to create each letter. In addition to these "green" characteristics, the author is also donating part of the proceeds from GIRLS GONE GREEN to environmental and animal charities.

Thanks to Eco-Libris for coordinating this Green Books Campaign and to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book.

Giveaway alert: Thanks to Penguin, I have to extra copies of GIRLS GONE GREEN to share with two lucky readers. To enter, just fill out the form below! The contest will be open until November 23rd at 11:59 p.m. ET, and I will notify the winners the following day. U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only. Good luck!