"In this stellar nonfiction book, Castaldo points out the detrimental effect that cities have had on planet Earth and proposes elegant solutions. Cities produce three-quarters of Earth's carbon dioxide and cause 91 percent of the population on the planet to inhale unhealthy air, resulting in about nine million deaths each year from air pollution related illness. Castaldo suggests change by creating architectural designs that focus on nature and greenery. In Milan, Italy--the city with the highest air pollution in Europe--the innovative and renowned Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) is comprised of two standing towers that are home to over 700 trees forming a standing, living forest. With one tower of nineteen stories and another of twenty-seven, Bosco Verticale has transformed the landscape, way of living, air quality, and biodiversity of its surroundings. The trees in Bosco Verticale "absorb 24 tons of carbon dioxide, and 57 tons of pollutants each year while also producing about 9 tons of oxygen." As a result, its residents enjoy a tranquil lifestyle that brings nature and biodiversity to their doorstep and their windows. Besides focusing on Bosco Verticale, Castaldo presents other projects that can create a difference, like living roofs and living walls, modern urban farms and urban gardens.

She demonstrates how, with the assistance of the community, cities can transform into green centers. Castaldo suggests that individuals in their cities volunteer time by joining a community garden, taking part in city planning or decision-making, growing indoor gardens, planting a tree, or becoming architects or other occupational professionals that effect change. Readers will find other valuable information in this book such as the history of environmental activism, past and current environmental leaders, the biology of trees, and even unexpected socioeconomic issues affecting the community, like eco-gentrification in particular. Rich with resources such as a list of breathtaking green spaces to visit around the world, a bibliography, weblinks for further study and a calendar of important events make this a highly recommended book that will enrich readers' knowledge of our planet Earth while inspiring creatively beautiful change. Reviewer Rating: 5" -Children's Literature.