November 1, 2017
Gr 4-7-Chock-full of enticing facts and figures, this series focuses on natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires from around the globe. Definitions and basic introductions begin each title, followed by a series of related paragraphs, captions, sidebars, and diagrams that provide a broad overview of the individual topics. From the most devastating volcanic eruptions to the deadliest hurricanes, extremes are the name of the game here. Previous knowledge is not necessary, but a lack of a glossary coupled with a fairly sophisticated vocabulary means that older elementary and middle schoolers are the audience. VERDICT The eye-catching layouts and short bursts of information make these perfect for casual browsing and sharing among friends.
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 2018
These books explore natural disasters in short passages of attention-grabbing (if sensationalized like the series title) text illustrated with colorful photographs and digital renderings. Misleading terminology and some unclear illustrations may lead to confusion. Each volume is similarly organized, with final spreads dedicated to speculation about future natural disasters and interesting related facts. Timeline. Ind.
(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)