Book Review - Volcano Rising

Volcano Rising

By: Elizabeth Rusch
Illustrated by: Susan Swan
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Publication Date: August 2013
ISBN: 978-1580894081
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: September 17, 2013

Volcanoes are cool! They rumble, blow up, and spew lava all over the place, but did you know that volcanoes also help create things, such as mountains and islands? You’ll know how those things happen, and a whole lot more, after you’ve read Volcano Rising.

Volcano Rising begins by pointing out the things that people first think of when they hear the word ‘volcano’ – a sleeping giant or an angry mountain with loud explosions, and hot, flowing lava. However, volcanoes are so much more and this is where the truly cool part comes in. While reading this book we learn how an eruption works, the difference between creative and destructive eruptions, and even investigate supervolcanoes.

Each two-page spread focuses on a different topic and uses a large, easy to read font and a few sentences to explain the subject. Also included in a smaller, but still easy to read font is a more detailed discussion or real-world example of the topic. Readers will learn how a volcano can erupt under water, how they can suddenly appear, and grow(!), produce super fertile land, and even create new land.
The author of this new book, Elizabeth Rusch, is a big fan of volcanoes. She once witnessed a ‘dome-building’ eruption at Mount St. Helens, which really fanned her interest and she’s since learned all she can about these fascinating natural wonders. Her passion for the subject comes through wonderfully in this educational book which is perfect for youngsters who can’t get enough “volcano.” At the back of the book is a helpful glossary of the various volcano terms used in the book as well as a bibliography and suggested additional reading sources.

Quill says: An excellent book for the young volcano enthusiast as well as those who are working on a research project about volcanoes. There is a lot of useful, and interesting, information within the pages of Volcano Rising.