Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-8-This book features numerous full-color and black-and-white photos, "Disaster Data" boxes, three maps, three easy "experiments," two diagrams, and two Web sites. A conversational text wends its way through the sea of visuals, providing basic information on such topics as hurricane formation, storm surges, hurricane "hunting," and safety measures to prepare for an oncoming storm. Major hurricanes, such as Hugo and Andrew, are given special attention. Perhaps most useful in this general olio are the diagram of a hurricane; a series of excellent satellite photos of the growth and course of Hurricane Floyd; and a description of the Saffir-Simpson intensity scale, with named examples on each level. This is an adequate addition on a popular topic for collections that already own Patricia Lauber's Hurricanes (Scholastic, 1996), D. M. Souza's Hurricanes (Carolrhoda, 1994), and Franklyn Branley's Hurricane Watch (HarperCollins, 1985).-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Basic hurricane facts, anecdotes from famous hurricanes, and suggested related projects form the basis of this elementary but engaging look at the earth's most powerful storms. Although coverage is similar to that found in other volumes on the topic, the double-page spread Interview with a Hurricane Hunter is unique. The book is illustrated with color photos of hurricanes and their effects. Glos., ind. From HORN BOOK Spring 2003, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A serviceable title in the "Disaster" series financed in part by the Ontario Arts Council. The author describes several recent hurricanes including "Mitch," "Hugo," "Andrew," and "Floyd," lists the eight worst hurricanes in the past 500 years, discusses how hurricanes are formed and measured, and interviews scientists who study hurricanes in an effort to help people prepare for them. She includes a few experiments designed to demonstrate concepts described in the text. The impact of the full-color photographs is frequently diminished because of their small size and the decision to border each in a colored box, rather like snapshots in an album. The three-column text is readable, but often abbreviated and amazingly pedestrian given the dramatic content. Describing Hurricane "Mitch," the author notes: "About 400 crocodiles escaped from a science institute, adding to the danger." Surely a second sentence could be added to tell the reader what happened. Or, regarding another storm: "About 2000 people were buried in the torrent of mud." And? The author concludes with a glossary and index. Since it lacks the drama and visual appeal of Patricia Lauber's Hurricanes (1996) or Seymour Simon's Storms (1989), this should only be purchased where additional materials are needed. (Nonfiction. 10-12)
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