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Overview
Ambulance driver Michelle Mclnnis raced across Chicago. For the third day in a row, the temperature was about to soar past 98?F (37?C). People all over the city were getting sick from the heat. Michelle felt sick, too. The air conditioner in her ambulance had stopped working. Although overwhelmed by the heat, she had no time to worry about herself, however. She had lives to save.
Look inside to find out more about Michelle and others who bring life-saving help during heat waves. You'll also discover what causes the deadly hot weather, where the world's worst heat waves have occurred, and-most important-how to stay safe if one hits your area.
Synopsis
Ambulance driver Michelle Mclnnis raced across Chicago. For the third day in a row, the temperature was about to soar past 98?F (37?C). People all over the city were getting sick from the heat. Michelle felt sick, too. The air conditioner in her ambulance had stopped working. Although overwhelmed by the heat, she had no time to worry about herself, however. She had lives to save.
Look inside to find out more about Michelle and others who bring life-saving help during heat waves. You'll also discover what causes the deadly hot weather, where the world's worst heat waves have occurred, and-most important-how to stay safe if one hits your area.
Children's Literature
This authentic depiction of heat waves starts fast with a fact-filled first chapter entitled "The Race Is On." The account tells about an ambulance driver who carried people to Chicago hospitals when they were literally sickened by a 1995 heat wave. A subsequent fact relates that 700 people died from that heat wave! While this fact may seem harsh, the book from the "Disaster Survivors" series does a good job of making readers aware of the severity of heat waves and what can be done to stay cool when a heat wave happens. The two-page spreads include "Hot Enough to Kill," "Sweat It Out," and "Operation Cool Down." All spreads are informative and interesting. Fascinating, well-captioned photos are graphic and bring the reader close to the heat wave experience. Fact boxes contain additional information. A few such boxes tell that Phoenix, Arizona, had a high of 121 degrees in 1995 and that during one heat wave zookeepers in the London Zoo let penguins have fish frozen in ice to help keep the penguins cool. An excellent chart shows how hot the temperature actually feels as humidity increases. Another chart and a map also enhance the text. A heat wave safety list is included, as is a page about famous heat waves. The writing is crisp and to the point and will hold the attention of young readers. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury