Debunk It!

Starred review from March 1, 2015

Gr 9 Up-This enlightening new title not only successfully debunks myths and commonly held beliefs-it's an essential primer for encouraging critical thinking skills. Grant explains that individuals are constantly under siege from misinformation spread by bloggers, politicians, talking heads, pundits, and those who believe the lies and repeat them without questioning. He describes some of the dangers of disseminating misinformation; defines logical fallacies, such as ad hominem or straw man attacks; and gives a basic explanation of the scientific method. Once teens are armed with a healthy sense of skepticism, Grant moves on to tear apart some of what he considers to be the worst examples of misinformation: creationism, alternative medicine, the claim that vaccines lead to autism, and climate change denial, among others. Teen readers will appreciate Grant's brutal honesty and snarky tone, as well as his liberal use of the term bullshit (to describe distorted or fabricated info). However, he never stoops to merely mocking those he believes to be spreading erroneous information, instead using logic and evidence to dismantle poor arguments piece by piece. Grant's enthusiasm for his subject is infectious, and students and educators alike will appreciate both his style and substance. Pair this one with Paul Fleischman's Eyes Wide Open: Going Behind the Environmental Headlines (Candlewick, 2014) for a lesson on questioning authority, recognizing bias, and vetting sources. VERDICT This can't-miss title is great recreational reading for budding skeptics as well as an outstanding addition to units on science, current events, or debate. A must-have.-Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2015
Grades 9-12 No matter how open-minded we are, we can all use a guide to life's bullshit. Those easily offended, be warned, because that's Grant's mot juste for misinformation. In the first half of the book, the author encourages readers to build their own bullshitometer by learning to analyze information objectively and think for themselves. He offers numerous real-world examples of how information can be distorted, from quote mining and false balance to confirmation bias and anecdotal evidence. He also relates the damage misinformation can cause, such as obstructions in health care that perpetuated the AIDS tragedy. The second half focuses on such controversial topics as climate change, evolution, alternative medicine, claims that historical events have been faked (e.g., 9/11, the moon landing, and the Holocaust), and the end of the world. Grant explores the false data, rationales, and conclusions used to exploit misinformation about these topics. At the heart of the book is learning to apply the scientific method and evaluate sources. Although intended for teens, adults would also benefit from this witty, thought-provoking guide.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)