Module 11 - Informational Books

Guiberson, B. (2010) Disasters: Natural and man-made catastrophes
through the centuries. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Co.

Summary:
Natural and man-made disasters have occured every since time began.  These disasters change people and the world around us.  Guiberson does a great job sharing about these events and the effects they've had on the the world.  Some of the disasters recounted are the Chicago fire of the 1870s, Hurricane Katrina, and many other disasters.

My Impression:
Brenda Guiberson wrote a great book with very solid historical facts woven among the great affects of these disasters on mankind.  There are well placed photos throughout the text to assist with this engaging informational text.

Reviews:
Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes Through the Centuries
Booklist
Gr. 5-8  Taking on a theme with great dramatic appeal, each of the book's 10 chapters presents a notable disaster: outbreaks of smallpox in North America beginning in the 1600s, the Great Chicago Fire, the Johnstown Flood, the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, the sinking of the Titanic, the 1918 flu pandemic, the 1930s Dust Bowl, the 2004 tsunami, and the drowning of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Guiberson's thorough research and clear presentation occasionally goes beyond the obvious facts to broaden the scope of discussion and her readers' horizons. The chapter on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire ends with a discussion of sweatshops in the world today and how to avoid buying clothing depending on their labor. The Johnstown Flood chapter discusses industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, a member of the private club whose faulty lake dam gave way and caused the disaster. Illustrations, mainly photos and drawings, appear throughout the book. Chapter-by-chapter notes and bibliographies are appended. Useful for research and often fascinating, this is a very readable presentation of historical disasters.
Phelan, C. (2010). Disasters: Natural and man-made catastrophes through the centuries, Booklist, 106(18), 36.

Suggested Library Use:
This book could be a great resource for a librarian to suggest to students or teachers studying disasters in general or if they were to be focusing on one of these disasters.  There are accurate facts and photos that would be a great reference.