In the Venture series, a close look at invertebrates, which comprise more than 95% of all animal species. Intended for teens who want ``advanced information,'' the book has the readability of an encyclopedia but lacks an organizing overview and adequate illustrations and suffers from a limited glossary and index. A standard science encyclopedia (e.g., Grolier's The New Book of Popular Science) provides more information, with better organization and graphics. Some of the information here is incomplete: in discussing sponges, Aaseng describes two forms of asexual reproduction but ignores sexual reproduction. In the glossary, ``ossicles'' are defined as ``small hard nodules of calcium carbonate'' and ``spicules'' as ``long sharp supportive structures.'' According to the text, ossicles, too, are supportive structures, while spicules come in ``a variety of shapes.'' Aaseng notes that most biologists class Protozoa in their own kingdom, ``Protista,'' which appears in neither glossary nor index. Not a first choice. (Nonfiction. 12-14)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-531-12550-5
Page Count: 112
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 1993
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Reading like a long term paper, this dry, abstract recitation of teams and players brings neither the game nor the people who played and are playing it to life. McKissack (with Patricia C. McKissack, Black Diamond, 1994, not reviewed, etc.) opens with a chapter on basketball’s invention and original rules, closes with a look at women’s basketball, and in between chronicles the growth of amateur, college, and pro ball, adding clipped quotes, technical observations about changing styles of play and vague comments about how players black and white respected each other. The information is evidently drawn entirely from previously published books and interviews. A modest selection of black-and-white photographs give faces to some of the many names the author drops, but readers won’t find much more about individual players beyond an occasional biographical or statistical tidbit. McKissack frequently points to parallels in the history of African Americans in basketball and in baseball, but this account comes off as sketchy and unfocused compared to Black Diamond. (glossary, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 12-14)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-590-48712-4
Page Count: 148
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This technical, comprehensive entry in the Dangerous Weather series explores the mystery of rain and what happens when it does not come. Allaby (Tornadoes, p. 1384) first defines drought before discussing the reasons for and results of long periods without rain. Readers will gain a clear understanding of scientific terms that are in use, about air movements in the tropics and subtropics, subtropical deserts, desert life, precipitation, evaporation, ocean currents, jet streams, blocking highs, and more. As with the previous book, it may not interest general readers, but it will make research a breeze and may inspire further inquiries into the subject of droughts and water conservation. (b&w photos, drawings, illustrations, charts, graphs, index, not seen) (Nonfiction. 12-14)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1997
ISBN: 0-8160-3519-9
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Facts On File
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1997
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