(4) K-3 Super Simple Earth Investigations series. After a brief introduction to each earth science topic, readers are provided with instructions for activities that demonstrate the concepts. The activities vary in quality: some capture the science well and prompt good questions, others are merely art projects with few connections to the underlying science. Photographs of children engaged in each step of the activities are helpful. A quiz is included. Glos. Review covers these Super Simple Earth Investigations titles: Super Simple Earthquake Projects, Super Simple Fossil Projects, Super Simple Mineral Projects, Super Simple Rock Cycle Projects, Super Simple Volcano Projects, and Super Simple Weather Projects.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Earth Rocks! series. In straightforward terms (with difficult vocabulary highlighted and defined), Gilbert describes landforms and earth processes and explains the ways in which they form and are shaped. This series stands out for its impressively crisp, color-saturated photographs, which feature extraordinary exemplars such as geysers from Yellowstone, Mount Fuji, and the Grand Canyon. Each book includes a related activity. Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Earth Rocks! titles: Canyons, Earthquakes, Geysers, Glaciers, Landslides, and Volcanoes.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Flashback Four series. In their third adventure, the four preteens time-travel to Pompeii in 79 AD to photograph the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Sent via a sophisticated time machine developed by billionaire Miss Z, they mistakenly become slave laborers and gladiators. Tension increases with the need to leave Pompeii before the calamity. The fast-paced novel, which includes photographs from the ruins, is predictable but accessible and appealing.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Earth Detectives series. Olson's cursory introductions to different earth-science disciplines first define each field, then shift to discussions of the scientific research and methods used. One famous historical scientist is always profiled, then the laboratory and field work of today's practitioners are described; accompanying photographs feature the landforms and earth materials discussed plus important scientific tools. Back matter offers career advice and tests readers' comprehension. Glos. Review covers these Earth Detectives titles: Exploring Earthquakes, Exploring Fossils, Exploring Minerals, Exploring the Rock Cycle, Exploring Volcanoes, and Exploring Weather.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Our Extreme Earth series. These small-trim books for very young readers present basic introductions to earth science topics. A sentence or two on each page defines processes or materials, with emphasis on key vocabulary words. Colorful (uncaptioned) photographs are fairly well matched to the accompanying text. Each book ends with an image and brief profile of a scientist from the related field and a question for further thought. Glos. Review covers these SandCastle: Our Extreme Earth titles: Earthquakes, Fossils, Minerals, The Rock Cycle, Weather, and Volcanoes.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA After volcanic activity upends Snub's gorilla family in prehistoric Africa, Snub cares for her baby brother and abandoned "not-gorilla" Orphan (a human girl). But Snub's other interactions with the new, two-legged predators turn violent. Unlike Schrefer's previous three volumes (Endangered and others), this novel is in free verse with a third-person perspective. While not entirely convincing, the narrative provides an intriguing glimpse into gorilla consciousness and prehistory. Reading list.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 National Parks series. This series takes readers on pleasant tours through individual national parks. Each book's second-person text has a guidebook-like tone, offering tips and tricks for getting the most out of a visit. The volumes are filled with fascinating facts, vivid photographs of natural wonders and animals visitors might encounter, and keyed maps. Additional fast facts are appended. There are six other spring 2018 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Parks titles: Welcome to Redwood National and State Parks, Welcome to Yosemite National Park, Welcome to Denali National Park and Preserve, Welcome to Glacier National Park, Welcome to Grand Teton National Park, and Welcome to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(2) 4-6 Scientists in the Field series. Burns travels with entomologist Erling Ólafsson on one of his yearly expeditions to Surtsey, a pristine volcanic island that formed off Iceland's coast in 1964. Burns meticulously documents life in a remote field station as researchers record Surtsey's unfolding ecological dynamics, observing growth and diversification of life. Vivid photographs convey the rocky landscapes of Surtsey and its inhabitants. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(4) YA Escape: Survive series. Teens face natural disasters and evildoers in standalone survival stories. Gloria braves the harsh Arizona desert after an airplane crash (Crash); two frenemies lost at sea overcome the elements and modern-day pirates (Skies); an American church youth group escapes a volcanic eruption and flees Congolese rebels (Wind). The hi-lo narratives are accessible, but the melodramas become tiresome. There are three other fall 2017 books in this series. Review covers these titles: The Evil Wind, Crash, and Red Skies.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Swashbuckling Cassie O'Pia's pirate ship sails for the Western Island to fix the balance of magic by locating nearly extinct dragons and also to search for Brine's missing parents. This sequel has a lighter payload of puns and goofiness than The Voyage to Magical North, but it reaches deeper into character motivations and conflicts. The nonstop adventure continues the series' high standards of creativity, humor, and heart.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 1-3 Ranger in Time series. Illustrated by Kelley McMorris. Time-traveling rescue dog Ranger finds himself in Viking Age Iceland with self-sufficient Helga; together they journey through the ash and smoke of an erupting volcano to find Helga's father before her new baby sibling arrives. This installment is an adventurous, vivid, and well-researched historical piece, with brisk chapters of easily flowing text and full-page black-and-white illustrations. Author's note included. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: Ancient Mysteries series. Each book in this series looks at a different ancient city or monument and explores unanswered questions about its construction and uses. Both historical and modern views are provided, with differences explained by recent research and technology. Plentiful photographs and illustrations bring the sites to life. "Dig Deep!" and "Myth Alert!" sidebars provide additional interesting context and detail. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: Ancient Mysteries titles: Mysteries of the Egyptian Pyramids, Mysteries of the Great Wall of China, Mysteries of Easter Island, Mysteries of Pompeii, Mysteries of Machu Picchu, and Mysteries of Stonehenge.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Science Comics series. Color by Sophie Goldstein. In this graphic novel set during a future ice age, a child stumbles upon a book about volcanoes and uses her new knowledge to bring Earth's heat to her people. Although there are some holes in the frame story's logic, the science is impressive, as are the contrasting illustrations of a frozen, abandoned California and the dynamic volcanic processes of its past. Reading list. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman. "Most T. rexes liked to chase animals. Samanthasaurus liked to paint them." Samanthasaurus's un-dino-like ways have her family worried ("Clearly you need to evolve!") until her unconventional thinking saves them during a family hike up Mount Crushmore, where they're surprised by a volcano. It's all very well done, with never-a-dull-moment art using just the right amount of eye-catching candy colors.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Jump into Science series. Illustrated by Nancy Woodman. This volume presents detailed information about how volcanoes form and why they erupt. Busy illustrations detract from the clear text, with cartoons overlaying pastel and watercolor drawings interspersed with small photographs. A world map and simple suggested activity are more helpful.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) YA The redwing, the nameless child of a human and an Other, was raised in secret instead of being killed at birth. When the prince mistakes the redwing for her human twin sister, she is forced out of hiding and into a conflict that could destroy her home. Detailed, innovative world-building of a volcanic city and an emphasis on botany give this fantasy some unique flavor.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(4) K-3 Good Question! series. In a question-and-answer format, the book presents basic facts about volcanoes under subtopics including the mechanics of volcanoes and plate tectonics; volcano locations; types of eruptions and lava; and historical volcanic events. The clear text (in white font on dark backgrounds) is accompanied by color photographs of volcanoes and illustrations that sometimes lack good scientific detail. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 I Survived series. Jess and twins Sam and Eddie are retrieving a camera Jess left in a vacation cabin when Mount St. Helens erupts; Jess braves the heat, darkness, and overpowering ash to seek help for her trapped and injured friends. Though the exaggerated survival aspect feels contrived, the exciting historical story provides a glimpse of the event from an intimate-feeling perspective. Historical background appended. Reading list.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(1) K-3 Returning from battle to find his love, Princess Izta, in a deep sleep, warrior Popoca takes Izta to a mountain top. Soon, "where once there was a princess with her true love by her side, two volcanoes emerged." Tonatiuh's mixed-media art, an homage to the Mixtec codices, is instantly recognizable; with its assured storytelling, this adapted pourquoi story may be his best yet. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2016

(4) 4-6 Survive! series. Illustrated by Kirbi Fagan. Each formulaic standalone story finds children navigating seemingly impossible disaster situations: for example, twins Andy and Tony mistake the eye of a tornado for its aftermath and a dormant volcano erupts during Cam's family's Hawaiian vacation. Rapid pacing, vividly rendered scenes, and clever protagonists make for heart-stopping adventures. Serviceable black-and-white illustrations break up the short texts. Back matter includes related survival tips. Glos. Review covers the following Survive! titles: Blizzard, Lost, Tornado, and Volcano.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum