The Earth's Resources

VOYA

The volumes in the nine-book Science Fact series are brightly colored, attractive, and slim books packed with information. Full-color photographs, cutaway views, maps, and sidebar-style fact files fill the pages. Each chapter is a brief two-page spread offering superficial coverage that is nevertheless sufficient to provide a general understanding of the topic. Earth's Resources discusses a wide array of common resources such as soil, fossil fuel, and solar power, while not ignoring less common ones including bio-resources and precious stones. The final chapter addresses concerns about the future of the earth. The volumes are highly appealing in appearance and have enough meat to them to satisfy a scientifically minded reader. The general layout, text size, and tone, however, make them more attractive to the middle school or junior high reader than to older students. Each volume closes with a half-page glossary and a short list of further information sources that includes books and Web sites. The Web sites, such as the NASA and Franklin Institute Science Museum sites, appear to be selected carefully enough to ensure that they will remain useful over time. This series is recommended where basic or general science material is needed. Glossary. Index. Illus. Photos. Maps. Charts. Further Reading. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2001, Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 48p. PLB $18.98. Ages 12 to 15. Reviewer: Gillian Wiseman SOURCE: VOYA, August 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 3)