Rocks, Gems, and Minerals FROM THE PUBLISHER
Rocks, gems, and minerals are the basic things of which Earth is made. They are humanity's most important building materials and sources of energy and wealth. This book explores how heat, pressure, water, wind, and time combine to make these common, precious, and essential substances.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Heather Robertson
Humans take a lot of things for granted. We assume that fossil fuels are infinite. What we fail to recognize is the long process it takes to form these complex atomic structures and the speed at which we are using them up. In this book, one of the Watts Library's books about earth science, the nature of rocks is examined. There are over one hundred chemical elements known to scientists. The temperature, speed and location where these elements combine create the types of rocks, crystals and gems that are found all over the planet. Many uses are found for these elements and some are even necessary for life. However, if mining isn't controlled, many elements may be exhausted. Granted, rocks don't seem that interesting, but somehow Trueit changes that by packing a lot of information into a relatively short book. She also makes it easy to understand. Vocabulary words are highlighted and referenced in the glossary in the back. Most of the rocks mentioned are illustrated with color photographs. There is also a complete index and an extensive source list. A good read for anyone interested in the world around them. 2003, Franklin Watts/Scholastic,
School Library Journal
Gr 4-7-Lively writing using examples from history and a section about rock and mineral use and recycling make this an interesting introduction to the subject. Carefully selected, sharp color photographs, an open format, and large-type font add to the book's accessibility. The formation of basic rocks-sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic-are covered, as are rock crystals and crystallization. Chemical symbols for elements, charts such as the Mohs scale and the geographic location of major gem finds, and fun facts are included. A current list for further reading; an extensive glossary; and a list of child-friendly Web sites, videos, CD-ROMs, and places to visit are designed to pique curiosity.-Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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