The Incredible Plate Tectonics Comic

September 15, 2014
Superhero Geo introduces readers to plate tectonics. Reviewing information on his way to school for a big geology test, young George transforms himself into "Geo," a uniformed superhero with a rocket-propelled skateboard and a robotic canine sidekick. In his imaginary adventure, he leaps over sidewalk "faults," swerves away from "tsunamis" splashed up by a passing truck and saves an elderly lady from falling into an open manhole "volcano." Meanwhile, supported by visual aids provided by inserted graphics and maps, Geo goes over the convergent, divergent and transform movements of tectonic plates, subduction, magnetic "stripes" paralleling oceanic ridges and a host of other need-to-know facts and terms. All of this is illustrated in big, brightly colored sequential panels of cartoon art hung about with heavy blocks of explication. After the exam comes back with, natch, a perfect score ("I guess all that studying paid off"), Lee, a geophysicist, abandons the story for a final 10 pages of recap and further detail on plate tectonics' causes, effects and measurement-closing with a description of what geologists do. African-American Geo cuts a suitably chiseled figure in the pictures, but he doesn't get enough to do and so is really no more than a mouthpiece-perhaps there will be more of a plot in his next adventure. (online projects, index) (Graphic nonfiction. 10-12)

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October 15, 2014
Grades 3-5 George rides his skateboard to school while reviewing the information he'll need for his earth-sciences test. As he thinks about plate tectonics, earthquakes, and tsunamis, he imagines himself as superheroic Geo on his rocket board, and his backpack as a robotic talking dog, dealing with obstacles, which are actually everyday things such as dodging a car splashing a puddle or helping a woman avoid an open manhole in the street. All the while, African American George/Geo reviews faults, subduction, seismic waves, and other terms, which are shown in the bright, clear illustrations. Although the text sometimes overwhelms the colorful panels, the visuals do help readers better understand plate tectonics. Lee, a professor of geology and geophysics at Yale, presents accurate information, while Wallenta's art shifts cleverly between superhero Geo and human-boy George as he makes his way to school. The book's back matter includes more information and educational online activities, which are all suitable for elementary students.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)