Volcanoes: Fire and Life
(Science Comics)

Gr 4-7--Aurora, her siblings, and their teacher are fuel mappers, charged with the task of finding burnable material to provide heat for their community in a futuristic world where everything is frozen. On one expedition, they happen upon a library, and they scan all of the books onto their devices in order to preserve the information after the volumes have been burned. Aurora discovers a title about volcanoes, and she spends all night reading and learning everything she can about them. Becoming completely obsessed, she shares a constant stream of facts with her skeptical fellow explorers, interrupting their search for fuel. Aurora is certain that volcanoes are the answer to the world's need for warmth, and despite discouraging comments from the others, she ultimately meets with success. Interwoven into the tale are factual pieces of this graphic novel, presented at a frenetic pace that matches the urgency of the characters' need to find a way to survive. The artwork is bold and engaging, cleverly intertwining the science and the more fantastical elements of the narrative. Some portions of the text have the potential to be confusing, as Chad switches between fact and fiction, but this should not deter readers. VERDICT This latest volume in the series offers an engaging way to introduce volcanoes to middle graders who prefer a comic book format to more traditional nonfiction.--Sarah Reid, Four County Library System, NY