Deadly Weapons

April 1, 2019
Grades 2-5 Framed as an exploration of animal superpowers, this entry in the Earth's Amazing Animals: Animal Superpowers series (6 titles) focuses on danger, from the vicious teeth of a piranha to the noxious blast of a bombardier beetle. Large-format photos of each of the creatures add to the already high-interest topic, though the information within is fairly run-of-the-mill. Additionally, a claim that electric eels use their electricity to see in murky water is a little misleading and might require additional explanation from adults. Middle-graders obsessed with scary animals, however, will find plenty to whet their appetites in this sometimes sensational text, especially the descriptions of the damage these animals can wreak. Inset boxes offer fast facts, and suggested resources can help further research. Recommended for larger collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)