Scholastic Discover More: Disasters - Softcover

David Burnie is an accomplished zoologist who was a nature reserve ranger before becoming a natural history author and editor. A prolific writer of many books, including several on dinosaurs, he has seen many of his titles win educational awards and science prizes. His titles for Kingfisher include Kingfisher Knowledge: Endangered Planet and The Kingfisher Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia, which was nominated for the Aventis Prize for Science Books in 2002.

Primary sources from survivors, time lines of high-profile events, infographics, maps, and jaw-dropping photographs cover every inch of this dynamic book on the scary natural disasters that wreak havoc in every corner of the world. Included are chapters on weather, volcanoes and earthquakes, and even threats of disasters in the form of near-earth objects and solar storms. The information is incredibly up-to-date and geographically diverse, including information on the recent tsunami in Japan, the 2010 Guatemalan sinkhole, and last winter’s North American blizzards. The book not only considers the science of natural disasters but also our relationship to the environment, examining people’s role in creating disasters and the stark cultural differences in preparedness and response when they occur. Graphic, honest, and relevant, this book is engaging in both topic and format. A free digital companion book, Storm Chasers, is accessible at the publisher’s website using an access code in the front cover. Grades 5-8. --Erin Anderson