Hurricanes

Children's Literature - Keri Collins Lewis

Hurricanes—revolving windstorms far more powerful than ordinary storms—wreak havoc all over the world. Also known as typhoons or cyclones, depending on where they occur, hurricanes form over oceans in tropical regions, especially over the warm seas near the Equator. When hurricanes reach land, their impact can be widespread and destructive, as they cause storm surges along coastlines, floods from torrential rainfall, and powerful gusts of wind. In this highly illustrated science book for upper elementary students, part of the "Natural Disasters" series, author Louise Park gives a basic explanation of how hurricanes form, how they move, and what happens when they hit land. Readers learn how hurricanes are studied, tracked, and measured, and how people manage the aftermath of these powerful storms. "Disaster Files" are interspersed with each factual spread, graphically illustrating some of the worst hurricanes in recorded history. Colorful diagrams, graphs, charts, illustrations, and historic photographs keep reader interest high, while a glossary, table of contents, and an index make the book easy to access when used for school reports. Balancing the science behind the disaster and the impact, this series is an engaging and timely addition to libraries. Reviewer: Keri Collins Lewis