November 1, 2016
Gr 4-8-Chock-full of information, these guides will intrigue browsers. The organizational layer-by-layer strategy works well for the most part. From the sunlight zone to ocean trenches, readers learn about plants and animals as well as the methods and tools scientists use to study each subject. Atmosphere considers satellites, weather forecasting, ozone depletion, and more, from exosphere to troposphere. Mountains and Valleys loses some focus by including topics as varied as plains, tectonic plates, and the earth's core. Stick figures appear on most spreads among the detailed drawings and diagrams. Many unfamiliar terms are defined in the text rather than in the brief glossary. Lack of source documentation means that readers will need help locating additional resources on specific topics.
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