After the Spill: The EXXON Valdez Disaster Then and Now [Hardcover]

Sandra Markle (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

On March 24, 1989, the Exxon "Valdez" wrecked in Prince William Sound, resulting in one of the worst oil spills in history--an environmental disaster that cost several billion dollars and took years to clean up. Today, this area continues to display the effects of the event--both negative and positive. This book explores the relationship between nature, society, and man, and the changes that occurred when this delicate balance was upset. Full-color photos.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-A photo-essay detailing the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill and its impact on the surrounding environment. In a clear, journalistic style, Markle focuses on the aftermath of the disaster, giving only a cursory description of the tanker's crash and omitting any reference to the captain or crew. She examines the effect of the spill on birds, sea otters, and fish, and describes the changes in the lives of people living nearby. The author also discusses the current condition of Prince William Sound and its animal population, and the steps being taken to prevent future spills. The full-page, high-quality photographs capture the beauty of the area, picturing crystal blue waters and snowcapped mountains. The book is divided into brief sections headed by a question that suggests the types of queries youngsters might have: "What Happened to the Animals?" "Is the Oily Mess Completely Cleaned Up?" The easy-to-read text, child-friendly format, and attractive photos will appeal to students writing reports and to teachers looking for material on environmental issues. Researchers in need of in-depth information can turn to Terry Carr's Spill! The Story of the Exxon Valdez (Watts, 1991; o.p.), which provides a more detailed account of the spill and clean-up operations.
Dawn Amsberry, formerly at Oakland Public Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Following up on the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, this photo-essay begins by describing how it happened and the environmental disaster it caused. After focusing briefly on the devastation to individual species of wildlife and efforts to help them recover, the book considers how the oil spill has affected communities in the area as well as the state of Prince William Sound and its ecosystem today. Markle also looks at what has been done to prevent more oil spills. At 32 pages, with plenty of color photographs and white space, this volume provides a very brief, sketchy discussion of a broad topic, but libraries may find it useful as an attractive introduction or supplement to more comprehensive books on the oil spill. Carolyn Phelan

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Company (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802786103
• ISBN-13: 978-0802786104
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,590,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

SANDRA MARKLE

Sandra Markle is the author of more than 200 books for children, such as A Mother's Journey (Charlesbridge, 2006), How Many Baby Pandas (Walker, 2009), The Case of the Vanishing Golden Frogs (Millbrook, 2011), Butterfly Tree (Peachtree Publishing, 2011). She has won numerous awards for this work, including Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book, SB& F finalist, John Burroughs List of Nature Books for Young Readers, Junior Library Guild Selection, Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, Charlotte Zolotow Award, and MORE.
She was honoured with the title of "Best of Children's Non-Fiction" Georgia Author Of The Year award five times and was named one of 1999's Women of the Year by Women in Technology International for her contributions to science and technology.

In addition to her books, Sandra Markle has developed science specials for CNN and PBS. She is also noted for developing On-Line Expedition: Antarctica, one of the first on-line educational programs and continued adding further on-line reports from Antarctica while working on book projects in 1996 and 1999 as a grantee for the National Science Foundation's Artists and Writers Program.

Reviewers have heaped praise on Markle's books, including:
Outside and Inside Bats "The author presents a particularly felicitous accord of words and pictures in an outstanding science book for the primary grades." The Horn Book Magazine
Outside and Inside Alligators "This newest installment of the Outside and Inside series adds another fine book to a top-notch series." Bookselling This Week, a Kid's Pick of the Lists
Outside and Inside Dinosaurs It's like sitting down with a dinosaur expert who happens to be a great teacher." The Horn Book Magazine

Sandra Markle remains proudest, though, of the praise she has received in fan mail from children. She's happy to fulfill the requests of the young readers that urge her to "please write more."