Natural Disasters: Earth Science Readings uses events of high interest as starting points for learning about earth science. The book combines reproducible material for students and instructional information in a well-organized fashion. The book is attractively laid out with ample white space, clear headings, many sketches, charts and easy-to-read maps.

The book has four main sections and three are further divided. For example, “When It’s Hot and Dry” has sub-sections on fires and droughts. Each sub-section contains a description of a natural disaster, such as “Mount St. Helens: A Sleeping Giant Wakes Up.” These descriptions are one to one and a half pages long and students said they were interesting to read. The story of the disaster is followed by a comprehension exercise with a good range of literal, inferential and evaluative questions. The sub-sections have more reproducible material with topics such as these from the “Floods and Tsunamis” sub-heading: “What is a Tsunami? How Can You be Prepared for a Flood?” and “How Can Floods be Predicted and Prevented?” There is an “Additional Information” page and a glossary of the vocabulary specific to the topic.

For the instructor, each sub-section has a “Teacher’s Guide” which lists vocabulary, provides an answer key, and gives additional information that enables you to present the material feeling that you know something about the subject. You may want to copy this material for your students too. There are also “Activities for Students” with interesting ideas to choose from.

One problem with the book is that all the stories take place in the U.S. This strong American emphasis is somewhat lessened by the other information which mentions different countries. As well, it is possible to supplement the stories. One teacher said that she found it easy to introduce materials from the Internet, newspapers, TV and first-hand experience.

Students and instructors generally were very enthusiastic about the book. Students said, “I liked learning about places I haven’t been.” and “The variety of information is great.” One instructor mentioned that her students began to lose interest by the third subsection and she suggested that the material could be used one section at a time and then reintroduced.

I would recommend this book as a good resource for engaging students in learning about earth science and understanding natural disasters.