Atocha Treasure

School Library Journal

Gr 5-9 Each volume covers the facts about one newsworthy event. Attractive, mainly color, photographs appear on every page. The text is in small print, and the vocabulary is not easy. A short glossary gives explanations for a few technical terms printed in boldface, but only good readers will be able to handle the vast amount of information in the deceptively simple sentences. Danger on Apollo 13 covers the ill-fated ``unlucky'' chapter in the Apollo project frequently skipped in other books such as Dennis Fradin's Moon Flights (Childrens, 1985). Baker recalls all of the drama and suspense of that voyage and clearly describes what is needed to bring astronauts home. The treasure from the Atocha is no longer news, but students interested in underwater exploration and/or treasure hunting could hardly find a more exciting pay-off. George Sullivan has written a much longer and more detailed account in Treasure Hunt (Holt, 1987), but his book has black-and-white photos. Rutan Voyager is the only account currently available detailing (in almost technical language) what was involved in the preparation for and successful completion of Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager's hair-raising adventure. Beginning with the 1985 search for the site of the wreck of the Titanic, Rawlinson goes back to fill in the story of the building, launching, and catastrophic end of the ship, with photographs from that time. Then he takes up the story of Robert Ballard's dream of finding the liner. The Sealab experimental project took place more than 20 years ago, so student interest in the details of this subject is probably limited. Students should be attracted to Saunders' account of the first trans-Atlantic hot-air balloon crossing by adventurers Richard Branson and Per Lindstrand. He explains precisely how a hot-air balloon works as well as the construction of the successful one before taking it hour by hour across the sea. Carole Briggs' Ballooning (Lerner, 1986) covers the general subject, but not this flight. Older students seeking the information in these volumes will have to look beyond the format, while younger readers will enjoy browsing, even if the reading is difficult. Sylvia S. Marantz, Wellington School, Columbus, Ohio