Forest Fires

Children's Literature

Henry Hanson was able to get his wife and six children onto a train out of town before he began fighting a "wall of flames bearing down on Hinckley, Minnesota." But he and 126 others died fighting the fire that claimed more than 400 lives overall that summer of 1894 in Hinckley. Many townspeople died later of lung cancer caused by the smoke from the fire. The seriousness and danger of forest fires is described and photographed in detail in this series about natural disasters, which also includes titles about floods, earthquakes, blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis and volcanoes. Each book opens with a true story of real people affected by the particular disaster. Although the location in the photos is not always identified, many are dramatic and memorable. Young readers learn why these natural disasters occur, including the role people may play in causing, preventing, predicting and surviving these calamities. Lightning and arson are the most common causes of forest fires, but there is also an explanation of prescribed fires that are set on purpose to destroy dead trees and plants. The text is clear and easy to read, though there are lots of dates and statistics. Each book includes an expert consultant, glossary, useful addresses and Internet sites, including the Hinckley Fire Museum and a wildland fire page at the Yellowstone National Park web site. Part of the "Natural Disasters" series. 2002, Capstone Press, $21.26. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Karen Leggett AGES: 8 9 10 11 12