(2) 4-6 After months of unusual seismic activity, Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980. The catastrophic results included a thick cloud of ash, debris, devastating mudslides and floods, and more than fifty deaths; the event permanently altered the mountain and the surrounding landscape in Washington State. In a dramatic narrative, Barone tracks the efforts of a devoted team of scientists to observe and record what was happening -- and predict when, if ever, it might happen again. The volcano did, after all, have a history of periodic eruptions over the past several hundred years, which lived in the memory of the Indigenous inhabitants of the region. As the fateful day grew closer, the mountain increasingly drew visitors, creating a dilemma for public officials who wanted to discourage tourism but also provide some degree of freedom for residents and loggers. After the eruption, the book segues into wilderness survival as Barone follows various groups of campers trying to escape the aftermath, while the concluding chapters provide an update on Mount St. Helens today. Barone's engaging narrative contains a wealth of detail and a large cast of characters, but the information is carefully organized into brief paragraphs and short chapters, propelling readers through a story with equal parts science, history, and action. The front matter includes a couple of maps and a list of characters, while an author's note and bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann. Manley offers a child's point of view of a day-long hike up a mountain (identified in the back matter as the South Sister in Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range). Each stage of the hike is described in a rich, telegraphic three-line haiku poem, beginning with a blazing sunrise. Readers follow along as the child swats away mosquitoes, passes a rushing stream, trudges through the snow, munches trail mix, reaches the summit, and heads back down and to the campsite for bedtime: "trying to sleep -- / what mountain will I climb / next?" The economy of words in the haiku form fits the way a child might think and particularly seems to suit the exercise of describing a demanding hike while actually in the midst of one. Mann's mixed-media illustrations work perfectly in tandem with the haiku narration, alternating perspectives -- featuring the landscape and the views, or the child's close observations, or the family on the move. Her cartoonlike characters pop against the natural setting, especially the child protagonist in an orange hoodie and green pants. Back matter includes information about the history and geology of the region, hiking tips, a visual index, a list of resources, and a note about haiku form, which debunks the idea that English-language haiku must follow a 5-7-5 syllable pattern.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(2) K-3 In 1815 a volcano erupts, blanketing the northern hemisphere with dark clouds that block the sun and create winterlike conditions for a year. Life is bleak: crops fail; animals die; and in this world dependent on horses for transportation, people's mobility is limited. A young German forester named Karl Drais wonders if he could construct a vehicle that would be powered by humans, not horses. He tries and fails. Drais alters the design and tries again. This time, success! Mixed-media illustrations beautifully enhance the text. The initial, full-bleed spreads, employing woodland shades of brown and green, complement the leisurely introduction to Drais and his rural setting. Post-eruption illustrations turn dark, containing only shades of black and brown and featuring dense clouds of ash topping each page. As Drais perfects his final design, spot art underscores the multiple steps required to construct a workable, human-propelled, two-wheeled vehicle. When he embarks on his initial ride, the palette brightens, displaying bursts of color and revealing a shining sun that creates a visual metaphor: "There was wonder in the world again, a place where anything was still possible." In an informative author's note, Negley (The Boy and the Wild Blue Girl, rev. 5/20) explains that he devised this story based on three facts he knew about the real-life Drais (1785–1851): he created the first two-wheeled, self-propelled vehicle, this machine did not have pedals, and Drais's initial ride was about four miles. A terrific fictionalized narrative, clear about the limited information on which it's based.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(1) PS Illustrated by Abhi Alwar. Two bright green volcanoes, one big and one little, live happily in a tropical paradise until: "Something unexpected happened." A bird accidentally drops a coconut on Little Volcano. "Would Little Volcano...BLOW THEIR TOP?" Big Volcano gently reminds Little Volcano how to calm themself down: deep breathing, counting to five, thinking happy thoughts--"it worked!" And then the bird returns and drops two unexpected coconuts. Overwhelmed, Little Volcano forgets all about deep breathing and counting. "KABOOOOOOOM!" After the ash and lava settle, Little Volcano feels sorry and Big Volcano is empathetically reassuring: "Sometimes it happens." Dyckman's (How Dinosaurs Went Extinct, rev. 3/23, and others) warm-hearted story stars two surprisingly relatable landform characters. Big Volcano's understanding reaction to Little Volcano's outburst is a good reminder to young humans and their caregivers that, when meltdowns happen, a steady, loving presence can help restore equilibrium. Alwar's animated digital illustrations give the expressive volcanoes lots of personality. Vibrant saturated colors and thick outlines bring energy to the offbeat tale. At the end, when Big Volcano is hit with three airdropped coconuts and is in danger of kabooming, a calm and regulated Little Volcano helps keeps the peace in paradise.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) YA In the near future, scientists predict a volcanic eruption that will render Earth unlivable. The global plan to launch generation ships is fraught with political and technical failure; fifty-three teenagers alone leave Earth on the one viable ship, and grief, along with food and personnel shortages, soon take their toll. Leigh Chen, first daughter of the U.S., struggles to balance her habitual evasive diplomacy against the urgent need for action, as the crew slides into panicked violence. With a firm handle on her characters' personalities and evolving fears, Redgate steers the reader through a space thriller that is chilling without being nihilistic. The ship technology and its grim shortcomings are well-considered and generally fresh. Light romance and a ­pull-no-punches ending round out this emotionally adroit, nerve-wracking novel.

Reviewer: Anne St. John | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2022

(2) K-3 Gibbons applies her signature combination of impeccably accurate definitions and friendly, colorful illustrations to the topic of volcanoes and volcanic eruptions. She begins with an overview of the earth's interior and plate tectonics, explains the correlation between volcanic activity and plate boundaries (the "Ring of Fire"), and then illustrates several types of volcanoes. The eruption mechanisms of composite and underwater volcanoes are detailed, along with safety information on what to do if you find yourself near an active eruption. The final pages include descriptions of famous eruptions (Vesuvius, Hawaii, Krakatau, and Mount St. Helens). Each illustration is filled with details: cross-sections of volcano cones show their layering, and insets, captions and notations add even more terminology for curious readers.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(2) K-3 Hare's (Field Trip to the Moon, rev. 9/19; Field Trip to the Ocean Deep, rev. 9/20) third wordless excursion brings us to a volcanically active island. Once the lava suit–clad kids and their teacher land, they waste no time getting right to exploring the tumultuous topography; however, one student seems more interested in collecting flowers than examining the terrain. When a breeze scatters the student's floral collection down into the volcano's crater, an ill-advised attempt at retrieval leaves the child stranded at the bottom--reinforced visually by a series of tall, narrow panels. A thrilling sequence follows, featuring a monstrous hand reaching toward the unsuspecting child...thankfully revealed (upon the page-turn) to belong to a charming lava monster with its family. In an action movie–level rescue, the teacher rappels from a helicopter to scoop up the missing student. The adventure stays in constant motion, propelled by brisk pacing and varied panel layouts. Hare's acrylic illustrations are textural and dynamic yet maintain a cartoonlike quality, thanks to solid character outlines and expressive body language. Fans of this robust, whimsical world of student-adventurers can only wonder--where to next?

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(2) YA This intriguing novel about pirate queen Clementine and her daughter Thea begins by toggling between "then" and "now"--in Clementine's girlhood, when she isn't allowed to explore her scientific potential because of her gender; with Thea jumping from a whaling ship to swim three miles to shore; with an argument about whether the volcano on Valonia will erupt, killing everyone on the island. As the narrative progresses, the reader is able to assemble the timeline--how the sexism that stifled Clementine's research and the pre-eruption tremor that killed her husband finally push Clementine to piracy just ahead of the cataclysm; how Thea is her reluctant accomplice until she runs away on a whaler with her crush Bauer; how Bauer rapes Thea, leading to her escape and the three-mile swim. Thea ends up in a ­settlement of Valonian survivors, including her childhood companion Wes, who's trying to turn himself into the settlement's doctor. A good portion of the narrative is Thea's survival story; another portion concerns her unfinished business with ­Clementine, where Thea will have to decide once and for all whether she belongs on the side of the law or of her mother. The quasi–New England setting, with its own geography, mythology, and economy, adds another puzzle for readers to determine how it departs from our own world. An adventure story with an exceptional amount of emotional growth, this original creation will keep readers surprised and engrossed.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(3) K-3 Cerullo opens her exploration of the science of volcanoes with a compelling description of the 2018 eruption of Kilauea in Hawaii. Subsequent chapters explore the role volcanoes played in the formation of Earth, how volcanoes erupt, and the science of predicting volcanic activity. With clear text, fascinating details, and dramatic photographs, the volume succeeds in providing solid information for a wide range of readers. A select bibliography, glossary, and index (unseen) are appended.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Creepy and True series. This wide-ranging account examines some notable searches for and/or discoveries of human remains. These are more than bare-bones overviews; Hollihan draws on the work of archaeologists, geologists, biologists, historians, forensic anthropologists, and more as she provides context, background, and theories. Hollihan's enthusiasm for her subject comes through in her detailed conversational text, which includes discussion of the hunt for King Richard III's grave in England, the aftermath of two catastrophic nineteenth-century Indonesian volcanic eruptions, an ill-fated 1845 Arctic expedition, the Romanov deaths, to name a few cases. Lots of color photos and archival reproductions liven up the pages; sidebars expand on such topics as plate tectonics, cannibalism, and "What to Do If You Find Human Bones." Selected sources, related websites, and an index (not seen) are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(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