Children's Literature - Amy S. Hansen

Part of the “A True Book” series, this volume examines some of the worst storms in history, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, hailstorms, hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires, and blizzards. The last chapter is devoted to global warming studies and the expectation that these storms will continue. Squire gives a quick scientific explanation for each storm type, though most of the focus is on the affect the storms have on humans. The book does not address tsunamis. It will appeal to kids who want lists, kids who want to understand, and kids who want suspense. The photos are bright and clearly placed. Captions are informative and are tied to specific parts of the picture with arrows. Back matter includes statistics, the answer to a quiz from the beginning, and a short list of resources. This book, and this series in general, is a good choice for libraries and classrooms that want to boost nonfiction reading. Reviewer: Amy S. Hansen; Ages 8 to 10.