Rocks and Minerals: Gem of a Book! Basher Sci

Field guides are usually not fun to look at, but this book is done in the same fun manner as Periodic Table: Elements with Style? An introduction gives a brief explanation of geology and Charles Lyell, the grandfather of geology. The book is then divided into 8 chapters of rocks, minerals, and fossils - Sedimentary and Stylish, Molten Maniacs, The Metamorphics, Shock and Ore, Mineral Gang, The Purists, Little Gems, and Fossils. Each chapter begins with an explanation for that group and shows a pictorial listing of the items in that chapter. A two-page spread is dedicated to each specimen in the chapter one page of information and an illustrated picture on the second. The information offered includes a description of the element, how it is formed, mineral composition, hardness, grain size, color, and other interesting facts. A large part of the description is done in first person as if the specimen was speaking, and the picture has human-like features (face, legs, arms, etc.) to help you get a feel for the personality of that particular specimen and make it easier to remember the names of each. The glossary at the back of the book offers short, simple definitions for geology related words, and a Mohs scale poster is included which features 10 of the characters from the book to represent the levels of hardness. This book will be a 'gem' of a resource as your students learn about rocks and minerals. This book does make reference to millions of years in a couple of places. ~ Donna