The Green Book by Jill Patton Walsh

The Green Book is about the journey of a group of Earthlings who must escape their dying planet.  They leave Earth on an outdated spaceship in search of a new planet where they may be able to settle and start a new life.  Some of my fourth grade students felt that the book was too simple, short, and lacked development.  They wished the book had described what happened to the inhabitants of the new planet in more detail.  Although some of my students felt unsatisfied by the time they finished the book, reading it provided us with a variety of learning opportunities.  We were able to discuss space travel, causes of a dying Earth, the making of a perfect planet, and so much more!  It is a thought-provoking book highly pertinent to discussions of environmental responsibility on Earth and beyond.  I highly recommend this book for classroom use where great discussions may take place!