Our Patchwork Planet [Hardcover]

Helen Roney Sattler (Author), Giulio Maestro (Illustrator)

Book Description

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

"A comprehensive introduction to plate tectonics, written in a beautifully balanced style. Neither too complicated, nor too simple, Sattler formulates information in a way that is lucid without being dull. The topics covered include the appearance of the inside of the earth, the formation and movements of tectonic plates, of continents and mountain, and the various ways of dealing withearthquakes.....A model of writing about science for children."--Kirkus Reviews. Bibliography, diagrams, index, maps.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Sattler discusses the formation of the Earth's plates, their locations, and how their movements affect what happens on our planet's surface. She explains how earthquakes and volcanoes occur, and gives detailed descriptions of "hot spots" in the world. Clear, full-color illustrations, including excellent-quality computer-enhanced photo-maps, help clarify concepts that are difficult to visualize. While all of this is informative, the presentation is dry. Another problem is the syncing of illustrations to text. In one instance, the author talks about Mount Saint Helens, but what readers see is New Zealand's volcano Ngauruhoe. Another example shows Mexico City, but the text talks about the Pacific plate. One last gripe. Sattler's occasional use of analogy works when the science in the analogy is good. But sometimes, it isn't. For example, in describing islands, she says "they collided and stuck, freezing together like ice cubes in a pitcher of Kool-Aid." Ice in a pitcher doesn't freeze up that way. These slight flaws make the book less readable, but overall, the presentation is still a cut above the norm. John McPhee's Assembling California (Farrar, 1993) covers similar territory and includes riveting tales of earthquakes, the formation of gold veins, and the dynamics of the plates.
Cathryn A. Camper, Minneapolis Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-8. The best nonfiction takes a topic that could be dull and makes it fascinating. Here, as appropriate for a book on plate tectonics, readers will almost be able to feel the ground move under their feet. After a slightly slow beginning, the book takes off, with a combination of illustrations and text making it possible for readers to see the planet in an entirely new way--by the motion that is constantly going on. Photographs taken by satellite and enhanced by computer technology help make the global perspective visible. Instead of fixing on particular volcanoes, mountains, or earthquakes, Sattler conveys the movement of the whole, showing plates that resemble "vanilla wafers on top of chocolate pudding." A list of further readings is appended. Mary Harris Veeder

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (April 28, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688093124
• ISBN-13: 978-0688093129
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,822,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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