Mountains

Gr 4-6-Addressing readers as potential explorers, these intriguing guides integrate information from many subject areas. Interviews with current scientists and explorers are complemented by sketches of people from the past. While presenting adaptations various plants, animals, and people make to survive in extreme conditions, the texts note conservation efforts required to mitigate current environmental threats. Photos and diagrams illustrate specialized terminology such as types of desert landforms. Caves and Mountains create the greatest sense of active participation as readers are introduced to potential dangers such as hypothermia or altitude sickness. "Fact File" boxes with comparative data (e.g., the size of major deserts) at the end of every volume could serve as starting points for developing graphs. Except for Polar Regions, each title suggests ideas for more research. Drawing from biology, anthropology, geology, history, geography, and other disciplines, this series should generate plenty of ideas for further investigation. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The premise here is that middle-grade readers are embarking on exploratory excursions. Each book introduces the landform and its ecosystems and touches on trip planning, equipment, and preparation. Brief interviews with scientists or explorers are engaging. The approachable design includes photographs (some captioned, others not), text boxes, and accessible texts. The treatment is superficial but engaging. Map, reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Explorer Travel Guides titles: Caves, Deserts, and Mountains.] (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.