A World of Microorganisms

School Library Journal

Gr 6 Up-An open format and large, frequently garishly colored photographs of organisms, animals, and people give the mistaken impression that this information is accessible to intermediate and middle school readers. Microorganisms explains and defines the makeup and function of viruses, bacterium, and fungi. The chemical and cellular interactions are explicated in scientific language. The sentences are frequently overly long and read like a microbiology textbook. Another drawback is that Bacteria cannot stand alone, but depends upon the introductory material in Microorganisms. Using the glossary is a must when reading the texts. There are no charts of the scientific classification of microorganisms. Edward R. Ricciuti's Microorganisms (Blackbirch, 1994) has much more accessible information.-Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.