Kathlyn Gay has been writing professionally since the day her daugher was born in 1957, selling her first article after she got out of the hospital. Now with over 100 books published, including first readers, middle grade and young adult books, encyclopedias, teacher manuals, and portions of textbooks, she still finds her life enriched by writing nonfiction work focusing on social and environmental issues, culture, and history. In recent years, she has collaborated (primarily by email) with family members across the country, sons Martin and Douglas Gay and daughter Karen Hamilton. She's married to Arthur L. Gay, a retired educator. They have lived in Illinois, California, Indiana, and now Florida. Family members include two grandchildren, Nissa Beth Gay in California and Dakota Sandoval-Gay in Washington state.
An eye-catching jacket photo leads to a well researched
presentation of worldwide issues related to food. Chapters explore
global and American hunger, the shift from family farms to
corporate farming, the dangers of industrial farming, the effects
of climate change on agriculture, health risks of genetically
engineered plants and animals, issues of food safety, the clash
between public health and agricultural interests, and food policy
for the future. While an entire book could be devoted to each
topic, Gay does a fine job of presenting information on key issues
along with specific examples that make them meaningful. Sidebars
present topics such as food recycling and city dwellers keeping
chickens. Though chapter title 'Frankenfoods' indicates a certain
perspective on genetically engineered foodstuffs, Gay reports the
point of view of agribusiness as well as the concerns consumers,
farmers, governments, and environmental groups. Clear, color photos
take readers locations as diverse as a Colorado meatpacking plant,
a Kenyan maize field, and the White House organic garden. Colorful
graphics include a world map indicating relative hunger levels in
different countries and a chart showing household incomes and the
percentage spent on food in seven nations. An informative, well
documented resource on a timely topic. --starred, Booklist--
"Journal"
An intelligent examination of food that probes how it is produced,
procured and delivered to consumers--or not.While many Americans
and citizens of other wealthy nations take food for granted because
of its abundance and availability in seemingly endless variety
year-round, millions elsewhere, even in the United States, fare
terribly. Gay explores the topic of food as a commodity in a way
young readers have perhaps never encountered. Writing with skill,
clarity and a finely tuned sense of fairness on all sides of
issues, she conveys what a complicated business getting food to the
table is. The word business is not to be underestimated, as today's
food culture involves multinational corporations in addition to
governments and politics, science and technology, and the
environment and global warming. Excellent color photographs and
illuminating, easy-to-understand charts and diagrams enhance
readers' comprehension. Some of this may be difficult to digest:
Descriptions of the treatment of food animals before and after
slaughter and the handling of industrial waste might turn some
stomachs; photos of starving youngsters are heart-wrenching. Yet
the outlook isn't completely dire. Gay points to optimistic news,
such as the sustainable-agriculture movement, for example.
Documentation is sound, though the bibliography offers few
child-friendly titles--which perhaps speaks to this book's
singularity.A sobering, thought-provoking discussion that provides,
yes, much food for thought. --Kirkus Reviews-- "Journal"
World hunger is not a new issue, but a heightened awareness of what
we eat, how it is produced, where it comes from, and why people
around the globe are still dying of starvation in this time of
apparent plenty is garnering more and more attention all the time.
Gay presents a solid introduction to the science, politics, and
social concerns surrounding food and its production. Myriad issues
are discussed, including such current topics as genetically
modified foods, seed saving, agribusiness, and many, many more that
affect individuals looking to eat more conscientiously as well as
those trying to eradicate global hunger. The subjects are presented
in a fairly balanced manner, with sources from both sides of the
more controversial issues quoted and noted, though chapter titles
such as 'Frankenfoods' and 'Industrial Farming: Hazardous to Your
Health?' provide a glimpse at the author's leanings. Sidebars of
slightly tangential, yet equally intriguing, topics, such as the
Green Revolution or food recycling, supplement the primary
discussion of world hunger. Photographs and diagrams are
informative, and the end matter is extremely useful, especially the
further-reading suggestions. Though all are likely to agree that
world hunger is a problem that needs solving, there is little
agreement on the best methods for reaching that solution; this
title provides an accessible, up-to-date primer for interested
readers. --School Library Journal-- "Journal"
The sobering statement that one billion of the world's population
is undernourished, with millions more starving, although more than
enough food is produced each year to feed everyone, is the focus of
this nonfiction book for the middle grades. Using non-biased
language and balanced information, this is filled with colorful
maps, interesting photos, and personal commentaries, all used to
succinctly explain the causes of food shortages and detail its
production around the world. Topics are explained using their most
essential information, without confusing or meandering subtopics or
other less germane subjects. Asserting the main cause of hunger is
poverty, chapters discuss food production challenges, including
corporate factory farms replacing family ones; natural resource
depletion; poor animal and worker treatment (a sobering section,
though told rather than shown); pollution and pesticides;
climate/weather factors; and genetic engineering. Also discussed
are the politics surrounding food, revealing that finances are
decisive and divisive. This is specifically demonstrated through
school lunch systems, and in cases where food is used as a weapon,
especially in poorer countries. The slim volume concludes with
future food sources, such as pills and insects, reminiscent of
Soylent Green, for those old enough to remember the movie. An
impressive reference section includes an extensive glossary and
source notes, bibliography, books, films, Web sites, and an index.
While this book may not be immediately of interest to students, it
is ideal for school reports or other assignments on this topic, and
middle school readers will find themselves engrossed once they
begin reading this honest and interesting text.
--VOYA
-- "Journal"
An eye-catching jacket photo leads to a well researched presentation of worldwide issues related to food. Chapters explore global and American hunger, the shift from family farms to corporate farming, the dangers of industrial farming, the effects of climate change on agriculture, health risks of genetically engineered plants and animals, issues of food safety, the clash between public health and agricultural interests, and food policy for the future. While an entire book could be devoted to each topic, Gay does a fine job of presenting information on key issues along with specific examples that make them meaningful. Sidebars present topics such as food recycling and city dwellers keeping chickens. Though chapter title 'Frankenfoods' indicates a certain perspective on genetically engineered foodstuffs, Gay reports the point of view of agribusiness as well as the concerns consumers, farmers, governments, and environmental groups. Clear, color photos take readers locations as diverse as a Colorado meatpacking plant, a Kenyan maize field, and the White House organic garden. Colorful graphics include a world map indicating relative hunger levels in different countries and a chart showing household incomes and the percentage spent on food in seven nations. An informative, well documented resource on a timely topic. --starred, Booklist
-- "Journal"An intelligent examination of food that probes how it is produced, procured and delivered to consumers--or not.While many Americans and citizens of other wealthy nations take food for granted because of its abundance and availability in seemingly endless variety year-round, millions elsewhere, even in the United States, fare terribly. Gay explores the topic of food as a commodity in a way young readers have perhaps never encountered. Writing with skill, clarity and a finely tuned sense of fairness on all sides of issues, she conveys what a complicated business getting food to the table is. The word business is not to be underestimated, as today's food culture involves multinational corporations in addition to governments and politics, science and technology, and the environment and global warming. Excellent color photographs and illuminating, easy-to-understand charts and diagrams enhance readers' comprehension. Some of this may be difficult to digest: Descriptions of the treatment of food animals before and after slaughter and the handling of industrial waste might turn some stomachs; photos of starving youngsters are heart-wrenching. Yet the outlook isn't completely dire. Gay points to optimistic news, such as the sustainable-agriculture movement, for example. Documentation is sound, though the bibliography offers few child-friendly titles--which perhaps speaks to this book's singularity.A sobering, thought-provoking discussion that provides, yes, much food for thought. --Kirkus Reviews
-- "Journal"World hunger is not a new issue, but a heightened awareness of what we eat, how it is produced, where it comes from, and why people around the globe are still dying of starvation in this time of apparent plenty is garnering more and more attention all the time. Gay presents a solid introduction to the science, politics, and social concerns surrounding food and its production. Myriad issues are discussed, including such current topics as genetically modified foods, seed saving, agribusiness, and many, many more that affect individuals looking to eat more conscientiously as well as those trying to eradicate global hunger. The subjects are presented in a fairly balanced manner, with sources from both sides of the more controversial issues quoted and noted, though chapter titles such as 'Frankenfoods' and 'Industrial Farming: Hazardous to Your Health?' provide a glimpse at the author's leanings. Sidebars of slightly tangential, yet equally intriguing, topics, such as the Green Revolution or food recycling, supplement the primary discussion of world hunger. Photographs and diagrams are informative, and the end matter is extremely useful, especially the further-reading suggestions. Though all are likely to agree that world hunger is a problem that needs solving, there is little agreement on the best methods for reaching that solution; this title provides an accessible, up-to-date primer for interested readers. --School Library Journal
-- "Journal" |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
