Explore Rocks and Minerals!

Gr 3—5—Layers of the Earth and the common minerals that make up rocks are introduced in the first chapters. Each type of rock—igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary—has a dedicated section. How fossils are formed and how to collect rocks conclude the book. "Did U Know," "Wow" facts, "Words 2 Know," and "Just for Laughs" add information and break up the text. Abundant experiments and activities are strewn throughout, as are small black-and-white drawings. Many require the use of food products and adult supervision, but the directions are easy to follow. Making crystals, stalactites, meringue "pumice' cookies, and sedimentary rock will be fun, but also will help kids understand the concepts. The diagram of the rock cycle is more detailed than others. A miner mole can be found in various poses, guiding readers in the exploration of rocks. This book can be a useful resource for teachers and adults, but due to the lack of color pictures and information overload, kids will not find it as appealing as other rock books available.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX