Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Into the Volcano: A Volcano Researcher at Work
Nonfiction
For ages 8 to 10
Kids Can Press, 2005 ISBN: 978-1553376927
Donna never planned on becoming a volcanologist but as so often happens, she discovered the study of volcanoes quite by accident. It wasn't long before she was finding the subject fascinating and after going to see her first volcano erupt in Hawaii, she was hooked.
Soon Donna was going to visit all kinds of volcanoes and she was meeting many of the world's most famous volcanologists. She was also learning how hazardous it is to study a volcano. Aside from having to dodge falling chucks of rock and avoiding lava flows, you shoes may melt as you walk across the hot ground.
Donna O'Meara tells a compelling story about her life studying some of the most awesome volcanoes in the world. She explains why it is so important to get to know volcanoes - the more we know about them the better we can predict when they are going to erupt. Throughout the book Donna has sections which provide fascinating information about volcanoes: why they occur, the different kinds there are, and why they behave as they do. There are also many photographs showing Donna in the field and showing volcanoes and the damage that they can do.
In cheerful, down-to-earth language Donna takes you on a fascinating tour of her life as a volcanologist. At the back of the book there is a glossary to help young readers understand some of the terms used the book.
