We Carry the Sun
Author:Tae Keller
Illustrator: Rachel Wada
Lyrical text and bold, animated color illustrations help make the fascinating study of solar energy technology, its inventors, and its complex political history both accessible and enlivened. Back matter.
Our Young Reviewer Says:
What I really liked about this book was how it showed all the creative ways humans have learned to use the sun to support us in our everyday lives. However, it didn’t just list facts. It tied into history, told the stories of people from around the world, and introduced readers to individuals they might never have heard of, making the book very interesting and inspiring.
I also appreciated how the book emphasized our impact on the environment without being too much. The ending was especially powerful because it had a resolution about how we can make a difference and highlighted how amazing humans are and can be. On the final page, it concluded with a “what if,” which felt unique and inspiring, giving the book a memorable finish. There wasn’t anything I disliked, because the combination of science, history, storytelling, and inspiration, along with the easy-to-follow format, made the book both educational and uplifting.
The illustrations made the book much easier to understand because they showed the people, tools, and inventions being described. Seeing the images helped me picture the creators and how they worked with the materials around them, which made their ideas feel more real and inspiring. I also noticed how the artwork shifted depending on the topic. When the book talked about the damage humans have caused to the environment, the colors grew darker, highlighting the seriousness of the issue. In contrast, the pages became brighter and more colorful when the book focused on hope, creativity, and positive change. These visual changes helped me feel the book’s message, not just read it.
This book inspired me, and I think it could motivate other young people too. It shows that anyone can help make the world a better place, whether by inventing something new or even just staying interested about how they can contribute. It encourages readers to look around, ask questions, and be curious about how their ideas might create positive change.
–Sloane, age 13, San Diego, CA
Young people who are interested in reviewing are invited to do so as we welcome the individual perspective of our age-appropriate readers. If you are interested in being a reviewer, contact youngreviewers@bankstreet.edu
See our Monthly Picks Archive 2012–2018, and our Monthly Picks 2019–present.