TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

A Maximum Read

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 4, 2009

James Patterson has created some surreal characters and made them seem real in "The Final Warning." Maximum Ride seems like a normal teenager - until she opens her wings to fly. She and five other kids were born mutants from a genetic experiment and have spent most of their lives escaping from those who want to destroy them. They have recently been asked to help a group of scientists studying global warming in Antarctica. At first Max is not convinced that global warming is all that important or that they could help enough in its prevention. But as they grow more familiar with the wildlife in the Antarctic and see the actual effects of even minor climate changes they become very enthusiastic about being a part of the team. But their enemies have tracked them and manage to capture them. Maximum is afraid that this time their wings won't be able to save them.

Most people shopping look for the best price and are not concerned about how that price was attained. "The China Price" by Alexandra Harney tracks that low price from Chinese sweat shops to local discount stores.

According to the author, factories in China employ children and adults who work long hours for low wage. The government has recently addressed some of the problems with new laws that are poorly enforced. Some of the larger buyers, such as Wal-Mart and Target, have been trying to audit the factories to see that they are observing at least the minimum laws but factory owners evade the truth with so called "shadow factories" and forged time cards. When factories receive what they consider unreasonable demands they gradually start lowering the quality of materials. The workers often go along with their managers because they must have jobs and are afraid they will be undercut by even cheaper labor in places like India, Indonesia and Vietnam. Pollution from poorly monitored factories is also contributing to global warming. Harney warns that unless these problems are addressed by consumers who really care and are willing to pay a little more to help conditions, we are all going to pay "The China Price."

Marie Wood is a book reviewer for The Sun. She may be reached at woMarie@aol.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT