Coal

Children's Literature

Did you know that in the 1800's miners took caged canaries into the coalmines? The birds were used to test for poisonous gasses. If the birds died, then the miners could leave before they also died of a poisonous gas. This book, part of the "Rocks, Minerals, and Resources" series, will engage young readers with many facts and great visuals. The topics covered include everything from formation of coal to pollution from coal. The simple text reads easily and offers fascinating facts on each topic. Young readers will be engaged with the dangers of mining. Illustrations and diagrams will enlighten young readers as to the mechanics of a coalmine. A glossary lists unfamiliar words. The book would be a perfect supplemental text for any fourth through seventh grade science curriculum. 2004, Crabtree Publishing Company, Ages 8 to 12.
—Mindy Hardwick