Inside Tornadoes

by Mary Kay Carson

Overview

Tornadoes are the most violent storms on the planet-as these dramatic photographs and gatefolds vividly reveal. Young readers will get the inside scoop on tornadoes in this electrifying volume, filled with powerful before-and-after images of storm sites. Theyll discover what makes a tornado, where they strike, and what scientists discover as they risk their lives driving equipment as close as possible to these storms. With first-person accounts of historic storms, fascinating facts on climate change and its potential effect on tornadoes, and hands-on activities, this book will fascinate curious readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402777813
Publisher:	Union Square Kids
Publication date:	10/05/2010
Series:	Inside Series
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	378,857
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

Editorial Reviews

Gr 4–6—The illustrations in these cool series titles are enhanced by 10 large gatefolds that allow kids to dig deeper into the topics and enjoy amazing illustrations. Each title clearly defines fact and theory, leaving puzzles for the next generation of scientists to solve. Dinosaurs is sure to fascinate future paleontologists as well as children who just like dinosaurs with plenty of riveting details and awesome art by the anatomical illustrator of the American Museum of Natural History. Human Body touches on each of the body systems and provides a highly detailed look at a human cell. This would not be the book to pick up to learn more about reproduction. While the reproductive organs are clearly identified and an illustration of a baby growing in the womb is included, there is no discussion of how the sperm and egg meet. The simplistic illustrations and lack of punch make this title less successful than the others. Hurricanes has eye-catching photographs, clear information, and heart-stopping first-person narratives. Tornadoes provides an exceptional description of the conditions required to form a tornado and includes a foldout of a spectacular photo gallery. With the one exception noted above, these books are entertaining enough to draw in reluctant readers and packed with enough information to attract kids who are familiar with the topics.—Heather Acerro, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN

School Library Journal

Extreme storms never cease to appeal. This visually tempting title defines and explains the storms people call twisters, gives examples of four particularly devastating ones in this country, describes tornado watchers at work, offers a hands-on activity and suggests precautions for tornado safety. Aimed at middle-grade readers, it includes step-by-step explanatory text, striking images and helpful graphics. The author introduces Ted Fujita and his tornado-measuring scale. She makes clear that tornado formation is still a scientific mystery. Much of the explanatory text is printed on a backdrop of remarkable photographs of storms and storm damage. Sidebars introduce extra information, vocabulary and short firsthand accounts of storm experiences with snapshots. Along with the clear explanations and visual interest, this volume and its companion, Carson's Inside Hurricanes (ISBN: 978-1-4027-5880-5), are thoughtfully designed. The many fold-out and fold-up pages work. A symbolic arrow directs the reader; pages are numbered clearly and consecutively. Even the backmatter--bibliography, source notes, further resources and glossary--is on a fold-up page. Maps show storm locations in this country and around the world. Impressive. (index) (Nonfiction. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews