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In this unique piece of graphic literature, readers embark on a journey to find a solution that ultimately leads to world peace in a chaotic world. The group of superheroes that young Alice and Professor Sorgho pursues has the potential to solve issues like world hunger, soil depletion, and environmental disasters caused by climate change. Readers learn that the solution may very well lie in “climate-smart grains called sorghum.” Nonetheless, Alice and Professor Sorgho encounter a complex problem: no one has seen the Sorgho Squad in a number of centuries, but the team pursues a set of complex clues that lead them and readers on a journey across the globe.
What makes this book especially important is its focus on finding solutions to the inevitable environmental and humanitarian crises unfolding each and every day. The colorful graphics by Jordan Scribner and Blum's easy-to-follow storyline make the book accessible to readers of all ages. Its incorporation of a globe-trotting team determined to find the ancient heroes who could help the modern world emphasizes a global connection. It also shows humanity’s interconnection historically and contemporarily. The focus on human interconnectivity forms a strong lesson about considering individual actions and their effect on others, especially in terms of environmental use.
The book also offers readers a valuable exploration of ancient archaeological places like Mohenjo-Daro, located in Sindh, Pakistan. The travels readers make into these places teach youngsters about the value of pursuing fields like archaeology. Alice and Professor Sorgho’s adventures show how those academic fields continue to help modern society understand not only the past but also the present. They also encourage young readers to develop an interest in fields like history, which in recent years has seen an enrollment decline in the US at the college and university level.
As readers follow Alice and Professor Sorgho’s travels, they also learn about ancient practices like cuneiform writing. Again, these types of anecdotes introduce the ancient world and have the potential to encourage children to explore history. Alice and Professor Sorgho find riddles encoded in the cuneiform. The inclusion of these riddles allows young readers to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Thus, the book becomes a wonderful learning tool for parents and teachers alike. With its discussions about recycling and reusing, it also makes a great teaching tool about small ethical, responsible, and individual practices that can help young readers incorporate sustainable methods into their daily lives.
This book is perfect for parents and teachers looking for a new way to help their youngsters develop an interest in reading, history, and the environment. Its colorful graphics quickly engage readers, and its comic-book like structure makes it easy to read and follow. Alice and Professor Sorgho are also heroes of a different sort. They will inspire readers of all ages to find an adventure each and every day. They will also encourage one to make learning a lifelong pursuit and to share that pursuit with others. This book is packed with valuable lessons that have the potential to touch each and every generation that reads it.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review