Lost River Conspiracy

School Library Journal

YAArranged by type of environment, this excellent resource explores ecosystems throughout the world. Each biome is further divided into specific geographic regions and discussed in terms of its unique flora and fauna, physical features, the role humans play there, present ecological problems, and possible solutions for the future. Encyclopedic in approach and advanced in writing style, this reference tool will be used for reports and not for cover-to-cover reading. However, the excellent, full-color photographs will attract browsers. Interesting sidebars give further details, insights, or expand ecological concerns alluded to in the main text. The section on rare and endangered species addresses the particulars of precarious ecological positions, including the present state of conservation efforts. Also included are plants and lower animal forms-information that is difficult to locate elsewhere. The last chapter, the Directory of Species, gives the category of threat given in the Red Data Book. The extensive bibliography and index will be useful for researching a specific region or organism.Gary Filmore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA