Rocks: (Exploring the Earth)

Discusses the different types of rocks, their properties, and how rocks form.

Review :
Budding petrologists will uncover a wealth of information about rocks lying between the pages of the slim book. One in a series by Bridgestone Science Library titled "Exploring the Earth," the book offers readers chapters where they will discover what a rock is, different types of rocks and the Mohs scale of hardness. Full-page color photographs add depth and dimension to the large print-text. A vivid, color illustration accompanies the story of the rock cycle from magma found deep in the earth through the many changes that transform the rock from one stage to the next. Fun-facts can be found throughout the text and a sidebar explains how scientists use light and form to study their rock specimens. A hands-on activity allows readers to see for themselves how rocks form. Endnotes include a glossary, Internet sites, resource books and other useful addresses for those who want to learn more. This volume is a very useful resource for home and elementary classrooms.-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Database" Each book in this series offers easy-to-understand information, captioned photographs on every other page, in-text explanations of unknown terminology, and colorful diagrams. Students will also find hands-on science experiments, words to know, book and Internet suggestions, useful addresses, and a brief index. Erosion explains the different kinds of erosion and how it occurs underground. Soil not only explains the different kind of soil but also how to save soil and prevent soil pollution. The Changing Earth has dramatic diagrams of the layers of the earth and how mountains form. Students will enjoy reading about volcanoes and earthquakes. Rocks introduces the three different kinds of rocks and the Mohs Scale of Hardness, which is also found in Minerals. The Fossils book has up-to-date information on fossil fuels and suggests ways to conserve them.-- "Library Talk" Rocks is one of a series of Earth science books that primary students will love because they are easy to read and well organized. Large photographs illustrate the topics, and large type provides text that young children can understand. Teachers will appreciate these books because they support content at just the right developmental level. The books are designed to encourage independent reading for second and third graders: Each title features an appropriate reading level, a table of contents, and ideas for further reading. The text is well organized and informative, so student comprehension will be high. From the clear, easy-to-understand diagram of the rock cycle to the activity of making rock layers, this book makes a familiar topic fascinating.-- "NSTA Recommends" These attractively illustrated thin little books give children a brief introduction to some topics studied in the earth sciences by presenting simple, easily understood explanations of minerals, rocks, fossils, and changes in the earth. Minerals lists the key properties of minerals, explains the Mohs hardness scale, and describes crystals, gemstones, and metals. Rocks describes igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, rock strata, and the rock cycle. Fossils explains what fossils are and how they form, and discusses the various types of fossils. The Changing Earth describes the earth's structure, crustal plates, the formation of mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, undersea ridges and trenches, and the Mount St. Helens eruption. Although the books serve the purpose of introducing earth science to young children, their value is reduced by oversimplification and lack of precision of some statements. A few examples illustrate this point: Minerals states that miners "melt" ore to "create" a metal, a common oversimplification and misconception that disregards the reduction chemistry needed to extract many metals from ores (p. 17). Rocks says that "Feldspar makes up granite," instead of saying that granite is made mostly of feldspar and quartz (p. 9). Fossils claims that "Many shelled animals such as turtles lived in large groups. Their fossils made coral reefs and limestone rock layers..." (p.15). A reef of turtle shells? Never! And no mention is made of the abundant brachiopod and mollusk shells commonly found in reefs and limestone. Regarding the Mount St. Helens eruption, The Changing Earth states that "a strong earthquake shook the mountains. The earthquake started an eruption" (p.19). This is not a precise statement! Earthquakes associated with volcanism are a symptom of an impending eruption, not a cause, although they may dislodge rock that lets the already moving magma break through to the surface. Such flaws detract from the value of the books, but should not create a serious problem for young children. As the children grow, however, they will have to set aside these books for something more precise and authoritative.-- "Science Books and Film" Two serviceable introductions to popular topics. Olien touches on the types of fossils, some famous finds, and fossil fuels. Richardson outlines the three types of rocks, how they are formed, the rock cycle, and Mohs scale of hardness. Each book contains full-color photographs and a hands-on experiment.-- "School Library Journal"