Chad, John Volcanoes: Fire and Life (Science Comics) 115
pgs. First Second, 2016. $12.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature
Content: G Violence: G
This graphic novel combines fiction with non-fiction. Aurora and
her family live in a time where earth has changed and the climate has become an
endless frozen winter. They spend their days searching for fuel to burn. Before
they burn a library of books, they scan them into their computer. But Aurora
discovers a book about volcanoes. The more she reads the more she is convinced
that they may be solution to her tribe’s problems. She educates her family and
friends about volcanoes in an effort to make her case.
I normally love informational books that use a story to make
learning more palatable but this one is just a tad off base for a number of
reasons. The story is very intriguing, sort of dystopian survival, but when the
information component about volcanoes comes into play its serious information
vomit. Tons and tons of technical information which is off putting as it
instantly reveals that the whole book is a sugar coated trick. Now tons of
technical information isn’t a barrier to true interest, but the only students
in my school who are super excited about volcanoes are Kindergartner's and
first graders, though it is 5th grade curriculum. This might work
for middle school ESL or lower level readers who could use the visuals to give
textual clues when being asked to learn about science topics. I had my eye on purchasing this entire series,
but I think (with some small exceptions) the factual information has a cut and
paste from a complex textbook feel.
EL, MS – OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian &
Author.
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