Galapagos Islands

Off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are home to many species evolved to adapt to its unique ecosystem. For instance, birds there have unique beaks that are shaped to eat the food available, and there is even a vampire finch that eats other birds. Each title in the Wonders of the World series uses a particular wonder to discuss related subjects; here students will learn about other archipelagos around the world, Charles Darwin, and the formation of islands from volcanoes. Included are many color photographs, charts, artwork, a few quizzes, a nicely complete time line, a recipe for a tamalelike food called humitas, and directions for building a homemade volcano. As with other titles in the publisher's AV2 line, plenty of interactive material is accessible online via a code printed in the book.--Dove Lempke, Susan Copyright 2010 Booklist

Gr 4-7-This series is sure to infect readers with the travel bug. Clear photographs and interesting ancillary features share space with text that is cleanly and clearly written, creating a package that will appeal to browsers and assist report writers. The books take the audience on a tour of some of our planet's most fascinating locales, and the topics covered includes the geography, biology, and some of the history of each place, as well as issues of environmental concern. Useful time lines bolster the back matter, but the books fall a bit short in their quizzes and hands-on activities, due to some insufficient and unclear instructions. A code is provided for a website featuring more information. Overall, this series will have broad interest and usefulness. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.