Coral Reefs Matter

April 1, 2016

Gr 4-6-This well-organized set explains the role of animals in measuring ecosystem health at a level that's just about right for upper-elementary grades. Opening chapters provide species information and introduce survival threats. Subsequent sections explore threats in more depth, discuss possible effects on both the animals and the environment, and conclude with potential positive solutions. The text covers related topics with clarity, often (but not always) supporting general statements with specific examples. For instance, in Coral Reefs, the sentence "Overfishing...can upset the balance of the whole ecosystem" is followed by research examples of sea urchins in Kenya. Several features encourage readers to explore further, such as excerpts from articles with follow-up questions, suggestions for writing and research activities, and "Perspectives" insets, some of which briefly introduce different viewpoints about environmental impacts. Photos are generally well chosen and include straight animal shots, views of animals interacting with the threats, and scenes of human helpers in action. VERDICT Good introductions to a current and relevant topic.

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