The Chernobyl disaster

Gr 5-8-These chronologically arranged accounts of major world disasters begin with background information followed by a summary of events and analysis of how each event resulted in technological or regulatory changes to prevent or mitigate the effects of similar happenings in the future. The authors are objective about the human causes or reactions to each disaster, and sidebars encourage readers to form their own opinions by comparing opposing viewpoints from primary-source accounts. Additional resources are available on the publisher's website. The set is designed to support the Common Core State Standards, and there are numerous prompts, including a "Stop and Think" section at the end of each book, that suggest independent research and writing activities. These titles contain average-quality photos, maps, and reproductions and have a textbook quality that may limit their appeal. Many of the topics have been covered in extant series, making this set an additional purchase. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This accessible account of the 1986 nuclear disaster relates events chronologically, relaying some history before highlighting the lessons learned by other countries using nuclear power. Forthright on how officials' initial stonewalling and cover-up resulted in many deaths, the matter-of-fact text is supplemented by photos, maps, and informative sidebars. Critical-thinking exercises and prompts to visit the publisher's website are intrusive. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.