One Well: The Story of Water on Earth informs the readers how water on Earth is one big well that is connected. The book emphasizes how there is only one source of water that connects us all. The book furthermore explores the topics of water that can be correlated towards science content topics and history content areas such as where water is located in places of the Earth, the water cycle, their relationship with plants and role in photosynthesis, how water contributes to habitats, how it is used within our current society, the distribution of water, and the importance of water conservation. Not only does this book incorporate a variety of science topics, but it can also be used within English content areas among observing literacy elements as students could observe how the “one well” is a metaphor to how water is connected. It can also be used in math content areas as it incorporates percentages and unit conversions. I like how this book additionally provides short fun facts and descriptions to the side that correlate with water as it gives facts that the middle grade reader may not have been familiar with. I think that this book is perfect for middle grade classrooms as it is an amazing read that provides background knowledge towards a variety of content area such as science, English, math, and even geography. ( )

553.7

Juvenile Water

This book, "One Well," takes a variety of topics - like the water cycle, water availability, and pollution - and incorporates them all into one large metaphor: one well. Overall, this book doesn't appear to be a typical science centered book, but I think the story like nature of the book allows students the opportunity to build an emotional connection to the subject matter along with finding a greater understanding of the subject matter. Along with that, the multitude of uses makes this book able to be used across multiple subject areas. You could use it when teaching on pollution, what it means to be a global citizen, and water usage, just to name a few. Because of it's breadth of applications and readability, I think that "One Well" would be a well rounded book to use in the classroom, particularly for upper elementary aged students. ( )

Description:
This book introduces the reader to the idea that all water on Earth is connected and can be traced back to a single "well." The book is organized into sections that cover different water-related topics such as "Animals at the Well" and "People at the Well." The information in this book includes brief introductions of the water cycle, habitats, plants and animals as well as water conservation, access to water, and pollution. The book is organized in a way that allows the reader to enjoy the book from cover to cover or to be able to identify key words in the index and use the book to learn more about a specific topic. The book concludes with ways the reader can respond to issues like water pollution and unequal access to water across the world.

Personal reaction:
I think that the comparison of the Earth's water to a well is effective in helping the reader see the how all of the Earth's water is connected. I think the book does a good job at providing an introduction to water-related topics and would be great to keep in the classroom to use at the beginning of science units. It also provides opportunities to have important discussions about access to water and water conservation in the classroom.

Keywords/science topics:
Water cycle, habitats (oceans, streams, rivers, lakes, marshes, etc), photosynthesis, conservation, pollution, hydroelectricity

A couple of uses:
- Read page 8 titled "Recycling Water in the Well" during a unit on the water cycle. Use the information and the diagram at the bottom of the page to create a model of the cycle as a class.
- Use the pictograph on page 21 to show students how they can create their own pictograph. The pictograph that students create could be part of a water unit or it could be for an unrelated unit.
- After reading the book, have students brainstorm ways that the class could work together to care for the Earth's water in their community. Compile ideas and then have students vote on what project they would like to take on as a class. ( )