Synopsis
Acid Rain discusses what acid rain is, the harmful pollutants that cause acid rain, and what we can do to protect our environment from acid rain.
Children's Literature
Acid rain is one of the biggest pollution problems facing the world. This book, part of the "Earth SOS" series, introduces readers to what acid rain is, its causes, its effects on the environment, and how we can help mitigate the effects of acid rain through conservation efforts. The book is divided into thirteen, two-page chapters, each focusing on a different, generalized concept. For example, the first chapter explains what acid rain is. The second chapter discusses the water cycle. The third chapter focuses on the difference between acids and bases. The two-page chapter concept is intriguing, since all the information covered is presented in a single spread and each spread could stand alone as a short introduction to the concept presented. However, this is also the book's weakest point. The concepts covered in each spread are too big to be effectively explained in such a compact form, and the result is that none of the topics are explained adequately. The other drawback of this approach is that the topics seem to be disconnected from each other. The chapter on the water cycle is immediately followed on one that describes the nature of acids versus alkalis, with no reference to the water cycle. Scattered throughout each spread are short factoids, including "On the Ground," "Eco Thought," and "Try This", which offer readers interesting facts and figures about the effects of acid rain worldwide, and invite readers to do some hands-on experimentation. Also included are a glossary, a "Fast Facts" page of more factoids, websites for more information, and an index. Four color photographs and the bright and busy layout will likely interest younger readers, although this book is best usedas an introduction to the topic supplemented by other material. Reviewer: Lauri Berkenkamp