Julie the Rockhound [Hardcover]

Gail Langer Karwoski (Author), Lisa Downey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

When Julie finds a shiny quartz crystal, her dad shows her how to dig for minerals--like a "rockhound." Combining clever wordplay with earth science, young readers learn about Earth's most abundant mineral `treasure." The "For Creative Minds" section extends the learning with quartz and mineral fun facts and easy science activities. Ages 5-9.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book would make an excellent addition to earth science lessons, and it will keep curious, young rockhounders busy. --Children's Literature Comprehensive Database

What child doesn't collect rocks at one time or another, especially the shiny and unusual ones? That makes all children rockhounds like Julie in this most interesting story that proficiently explains what quartz crystals are and how to find them. The book is highly recommended for the rockhounds in any home or classroom. --Children's Book Reviews

This book is an excellent resource for kids who want to learn more about rock collecting, who want to experience a new adventure, or who want to start a new hobby. --Stories for Children Magazine

About the Author

Gail Langer Karwoski is an award-winning children's book writer. In addition to Julie the Rockhound and Water Beds: Sleeping in the Ocean (Mom's Choice Best Children's Picture Book Author for 2005), published by Sylvan Dell, Gail has written six other books for young readers including: Tsumani: The True Story of an April Fool's Day Disaster and Quake! Disaster in San Francisco, 1906. Before becoming a full time author, Gail taught in Georgia public schools. She frequently returns to schools as a visiting author. Gail married a rockhound. On their honeymoon, they hiked through lush western forests and stark "forests" of petrified wood. They dove into foamy aquamarine waves in the Pacific Ocean and dug into crumbly turquoise deposits in the Southwestern desert. Since then, they've gone "treasure hunting" for geodes, fossils, and crystals. At the schools where she taught, her classroom was famous because of the "rock box." Now, as owners of a quartz deposit in South Carolina where visitors can try their luck at digging for crystals, Gail and her husband have watched hundreds of people - both young and old - delight in finding sparkly quartz crystals. She wrote Julie the Rockhound to share this delight in our earth's treasures with children and their parents. Gail lives near the University of Georgia with her husband, two daughters, and three bossy cats.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (August 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097649437X
• ISBN-13: 978-0976494379
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,350,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gail Langer Karwoski was born in Boston, Massachusetts, has a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, and an M.A. from the University of Minnesota. She and her husband, Chester, moved to Georgia in 1974 and raised two daughters, Leslie and Geneva, and many bossy cats. Gail taught grades 3-12 in public schools until 1998, and she co-wrote her first book (The Tree that Owns Itself) with a teaching colleague because "we needed some good stories to enrich our Georgia unit." Her books are widely read in schools throughout the country and have appeared on state award lists in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, and more. She has been named Georgia Author of the Year in Juvenile Literature three times. For more info, visit her website: www.gailkarwoski.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real gem!, October 1, 2007

By 

Sharon Mitchell "Media Goddess" (Athens, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Julie the Rockhound (Hardcover)

Karwoski's latest book will appeal to readers of many ages. For the youngest, it is a story of a girl and her dad sharing a day together and exploring the natural world. Older readers will enjoy the details Julie learns from her dad about rocks and rock collecting. Downey's clean illustrations focus attention on the beauty of the quartz crystals. Four pages of activities following the story are sure to lure beginning rockhounds outside to start digging! Teachers will find the book especially useful for teaching about rocks and minerals. A great purchase for the home, classroom, or school library.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and insightful!, September 30, 2007

By 

Anne B. Jones (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Julie the Rockhound (Hardcover)

I picked up a copy of Julie the Rockhound while at the Southern Independent Booksellers Association Conference. I am so pleased with it I plan to give it to my granddaughter for Christmas. As a former teacher, I am always on the lookout for entertaining and educational reading for children. This one is great. Not only is it a resource for children's reading, it is a means for teaching and inspiring an interest and hobby! The book includes a learning-activity section at the end of the story, parents and teachers will find helpful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to encourage young rockhounds., August 18, 2007

By 

Randy E. Newcomer (Akron, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Julie the Rockhound (Hardcover)

This is a great introduction to rock collecting for kids. The story shares the excitment of collecting and introduces simple and sometimes confusing terms in a funny way. The tips in the back for rock collecting are helpful and easy for any family to follow to add this fun and inexpensive hobby to family outings. The activities are great for home or for the classroom. This is a terrific book for elementary school teachers.