Looking Inside Caves and Caverns

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-An introduction to the realm of caves that describes how the different types are formed, their characteristics, what lives in them, spelunking, and preservation. Caves used as examples include Carlsbad Caverns and Mammoth Cave. Each section begins with a general introduction and is followed by detailed descriptions, complete with subheadings and highlighted key words, which are listed in the glossarized index. Hands-on activities are suggested in boxed sidebars. While the writing style lends itself to upper-elementary readers, the text is in-depth enough to make the title of interest to junior-high students as well. Breathtaking full-color photographs appear throughout; however, scattered cartoons of young spelunkers are distracting. Otherwise, the book is sure to have wide appeal both for pleasure readers, report writers, and teachers doing earth-science units.- Douglas K. Dillon, Lakota Freshman School, West Chester, OH