Book eleven in the Crabtree “Connections 2” series, which teaches about history, medicine and environment among other things. This paperback discusses water and the ways we can use it more wisely. For instance, only three % of all water on our planet is drinkable, yet people (especially those in wealthy countries) routinely waste gallons while brushing their teeth or watering the lawn. People in poor countries frequently have improper sanitation and can get deadly diseases such as cholera or dysentery because their water supplies are polluted. Much useful information is contained in the book, but nothing really entices middle-grade children to care. Perhaps relating water shortages to lack of a swimming pool or only being able to wash one’s hair or taking a full bath once a week with water the whole family has to share, would give children more of an appreciation for the water problems the world is facing. Simple experiments would also drive the point home. However, teachers will certainly find value in using the information as a starting point in discussing the Earth’s water resources. Reviewer: Sarah Maury Swan