All else being equal, it is much easier to change the minds of kids than to change the minds of adults.Įric Schlosser, the author of bestseller Fast Food Nation, has just released a version of the book that is aimed at sixth to eighth graders and co-written with Charles Wilson, a writer for numerous publications including The New York Times.

While I tend to take a more optimistic view of changing the eating and buying habits of people of all ages, I could see the farmer's point. That's why I have them on my farm as often as possible.' 'The only people whose eating habits you can change on a fundamental level are the kids. 'You're never going to change the minds of the adults,' he said. Ages 11-13.I was standing at the farmers' market one day talking to a farmer. Copious endnotes document sources of statistics and statements. But in the end, Schlosser and Wilson leave readers with a powerful suggestion that 'the solution starts with you,' urging them to consider the ramifications of placing an order at a fast-food counter, thereby setting into motion 'the ripple effect near and far.' Many who have digested the information dished out here will do as the convincing authors hope: head for the exit. In some cases, the subtitle's promise comes through in inadvertent ways, as the narrative provides perhaps an overabundance of details.

Making for sometimes unpleasant though undeniably edifying reading is a lengthy account of how the animals that provide fast food meats are fed, slaughtered and processed. The book also covers the plight of fast-food restaurant workers the steep mark-up on fast-food items the low nutritional value of many school cafeteria menus featuring fast food and the fast-food industry's ample contribution to America's obesity epidemic. The text dwells on this chain's effective if manipulative marketing campaigns aimed at children, noting that its outlets disperse more than 1.5 billion toys annually. The book's scope is exhaustive and sometimes exhausting, starting with a history of the hamburger, the advent of drive-in restaurants and the debut and mushrooming of McDonald's. Partners with Wilson to serve up a stinging, often startling exposé on this country's pervasive, lucrative fast-food industry, for young people.

Chew on This by Eric Schlosser