One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Paul, Miranda

Discover the inspiring true story of Isatou Ceesay, an African woman who started a recycling movement to combat the pollution caused by plastic bags in her community.

For years, plastic bags were a cheap and convenient option for carrying goods in Njau, Gambia. However, when these bags broke or were no longer needed, they were carelessly discarded, leading to an unsightly accumulation of plastic waste alongside roads. The stagnant water in the bags provided a breeding ground for mosquitoes and diseases, while the burning of bags left behind a foul smell. The bags also strangled gardens, killed livestock, and polluted the environment.

Isatou Ceesay decided to take action, and she began to collect the plastic bags and recycle them into something new. Her efforts not only helped to clean up the environment, but also provided income for women in her community who had been struggling to make ends meet.

This powerful and moving book showcases the impact of one person's determination and ingenuity in creating positive change. It highlights the urgent need to address the plastic pollution crisis and encourages readers to take action to make a difference in their own communities. Join Isatou Ceesay and be inspired to become a changemaker in your own right.

Author: Miranda Paul
Publisher: Millbrook Press (Tm)
Published: 02/01/2015
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 9.00h x 10.80w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9781467716086
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 2.9
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 170587 / One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia

Award: Cybils - Finalist

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2014
School Library Journal 12/01/2014 pg. 149
Publishers Weekly 12/22/2014
Horn Book Magazine 01/01/2015 pg. 101
Booklist 02/15/2015 pg. 77
Shelf Awareness 02/20/2015
Foreword 02/26/2015