Desert Ecosystems

April 1, 2018

Gr 4-6-With a satisfying mix of text and colorful photographs, this series explores Earth's varied and fascinating ecosystems. Each spread covers a succinct amount of information relating to the ecosystem, where in the world it is located, and the flora, fauna, and insects that inhabit it. Eye-catching text boxes highlight interesting facts. Also addressed are the challenges confronting the environment, whether due to climate change or other human-created problems, as well as suggestions for how people can better care for the ecosystem. The titles end with an infographic-style food web. VERDICT Libraries needing to update environment-related collections can't go wrong with this option.

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2018
Grades 4-6 These books in the Earth's Ecosystems series manage to stuff quite a lot of information into 32 pages. Each book covers one general type of ecosystem, and most also cover specific examples that fall under the larger category. Desert Ecosystems veers between describing general types of deserts and more interesting case studies, such as the Mojave and the Sahara. The books' relatively dense text is broken up by a photo or diagram on each page as well as numerous fact boxes. Some of the fact boxes lead, somewhat confusingly, with a numerical statistic that is explained below, along with several vaguely related bullet points. Other boxed features are clearer, including Think about It questions addressed directly to the reader. Overall, the books' rich level of detail and information will likely appeal to upper-elementary readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)