Month: February 2012

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The Great Molasses Flood

The Great Molasses Flood:  Boston 1919 by Deborah Kops is an account of a very unusual disaster. On a quiet day in January 1919, a huge tank of molasses burst open and flooded a Boston waterfront neighborhood. The massive wall of sticky liquid did an amazing amount of damage. People were injured and eventually 21 died. Several buildings were destroyed and the elevated train tracks were damaged. After the immediacy  of rescue and clean up efforts came the questions. Why had the giant tank broken open? What caused this disaster?

In the prologue, Kops sets the historical stage to the flood by recalling the significant events of the previous year, including the outbreak of the Spanish flu and the ending of World War I. In chapter one she targets the happenings of the area right before the tank bursts, giving an introduction to some of the people and places involved. Chapter two recounts the events of the disaster from the third person perspective of a number of the victims. The next chapter covers the rescue and clean up efforts, and the final three chapters discuss the mystery surrounding how the tank burst and the resulting legal investigation.

After recently reading books about Prohibition (Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition) and World War I (Unraveling Freedom), this book revealed how the events of the time were intertwined in yet another way. It turns out that the previous batches of molasses owned by the U.S. Industrial Alcohol Company had been turned into alcohol that was used in the manufacture of ammunition for World War I. Now that the war had ended and Prohibition was on its way, the company had to convert the molasses to alcohol fast or it would lose a lot of money. Talk about a sticky situation.

Not only will The Great Molasses Flood thrill history buffs, but it is also a very good mystery. Definitely deserves a spot on the library shelf.

Investigate the science behind the disaster with a hands-on activity at Growing With Science.

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (February 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1580893481
ISBN-13: 978-1580893480

Book provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. We invite you to join us. For more information and a schedule, stop by Booktalking to see who is hosting each week.

This week’s round-up is here at Wrapped In Foil.

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50 Poisonous Questions: A Book With Bite

50 Poisonous Questions: A Book With Bite by Tanya Lloyd Kyi and illustrated by Ross Kinnaird explores the world of toxins, poisons, and venoms in a well-balanced and humorous way. It was nominated for a 2011 Cybils award in the MG/YA nonfiction category.

Starting with, “Stop! Do not, under any circumstances, eat this book,” 50 Poisonous Questions is sure to capture the attention of young readers. Written in a question and answer format, and filled with lively creepy crawlies and dangerous chemicals, it is also sure to hold their attention. Add the humorous illustrations to make readers laugh (and sometimes groan), and you have a real winner.

Kyi has done her homework and provides a even-handed look at some of the problems that result from toxic chemicals. Sometimes there aren’t easy answers. For example, she points out that although DDT causes environmental issues, such as interfering with eagle reproduction, it also can save the lives of many people when used to control the mosquitoes that cause malaria. Other times what seems like an awful toxin or venom may have potential to be a powerful medicine in the future.

50 Poisonous Questions is one of those rare books that is interesting, fun and educational all in the same package. Budding scientists and forensics experts will find it a compelling read.

(I recently reviewed another fascinating book from Annick Press.)

Reading level: Ages 9 and up
Hardcover: 110 pages
Publisher: Annick Press (January 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554512816
ISBN-13: 978-1554512812

This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes.

This week’s STEM Friday round up is at Twillwoven Blog, part of Red Phoenix Books.

If you would like to participate in STEM Friday in the future, go to Booktalking blog and click on STEM Friday for more information.

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Polar Bears Children’s Book Review

With animated polar bears in the news, some children might be interested in learning more about the real thing. Polar Bears (First Facts: Bears) by Molly Erin Kolpin is a good choice for first or second graders who want to learn more about these shaggy white bears and practice their reading skills at the same time.

Do polar bears hibernate like most other bears? I thought they did because I had seen videos of bears emerging from dens, but according to the book, polar bears do not hibernate. Most remain active through the winter. The exception, however, are expectant mothers. They dig dens in the snow where they sleep and have their young. It is much warmer inside the dens, which helps the young survive. And boy, those young polar bears are cute!

With color photographs, a range map, a glossary, an index and suggestions for places to find out more, Polar Bears is sure to suit youngsters wanting to learn about the mysterious big white bears, and please teachers and librarians as well.

Note for sensitive children:  there is one photograph of a polar bear biting a seal. It looks dead, but isn’t bloody.

Reading level: 1-2 IL: 1-3
Paperback: 24 pages
Publisher: Capstone Press (August 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1429671890
ISBN-13: 978-1429671897

Book provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. We invite you to join us. For more information and a schedule, stop by Booktalking to see who is hosting each week.

This week’s round-up is at Capstone Connect.