This book takes you to the inside of natural disasters wreaked by volcanoes. Readers learn how the Earth and volcanoes formed, what’s behind plate tectonics, and where to find the world’s volcano hot spots. Unfamiliar words are highlighted and defined on the same page.

The text also focuses on some of the world’s most famous explosions — Pompeii, Krakatau, Mount Pelée. Photos of devastated cities, along with timelines and quotes from eye witnesses bring Volcano to life. Yikes!

The book was inviting to read and the topic was interesting. What I liked most about the book was the cool pictures. The author also put a lot of information on each page. I particularly liked the drawing of the inside of a volcano. I can’t think of anything I didn’t like. I found reading the book fun.

I also learned a few things. For example, the power released by the biggest eruptions is equal to a million nuclear bombs!

Overall, I would say the book was very good, with a lot of interesting information. I wouldn’t change a thing. Out of a score of 10, Volcano gets a 10. The one word I would use to describe this book is “hot”!

(Originally published in the Mar/Apr 2007 issue of YES Mag.)