Benoit,
Peter. The
Nuclear Age. Scholastic/ Childrens Press 64p $8.95 978-0-531-23062-6 elem/ms Series: Cornerstones of Freedom (Sch/Childrens) VG-BNS
The clarity, organization and topic
choices for this guide to nuclear energy combine to make it a book of
note. First, young readers will join older ones in comprehending
the subject matter, due to the clarity and simplicity
of the author’s writing
style. With his readership in mind,
Peter Benoit carefully pens a book that has natural flow and simple sentences
combined with more complex ones, and he successfully alters the vocabulary and
explanations of a rather involved topic into a very readable nonfiction
guide. Next, Benoit’s organization is
seamless. He moves from the discovery of
fission into the birth of the atomic age, continues with a short examination of
the Cold War and finishes with a look at fusion, the need to control nuclear
weapons and the dangers to humans and their environment. The photographs are chilling and powerful. In addition, vocabulary is highlighted in bold type and defined at the end of
the book. Another extra feature that is
valuable is a mini-search reference in text for researching topics that would
enhance the reader’s comprehension of some of the information provided. The corresponding list of websites is
provided at the end of the book.
Finally, Benoit’s topic choices for inclusion in this guide are spot
on. A child who reads this will close
the book with a greater knowledge of nuclear energy, nuclear weapons and
nuclear dangers, and that is exactly what one should glean from a book entitled The
Nuclear Age.
Benoit ends his book with a map of the world that showcases the
major sites of nuclear accidents and detonations, a two-page spread of
influential people in the field of nuclear energy and a timeline of major
events relating to wars, projects, controls and treaties.
Note:
$8.95 is the price for the paperback version. The cost of the hardback
book is unavailable. The
series Cornerstones of Freedom offers an examination of monumental events in American
history. Topics include The Emancipation
Proclamation, Ellis Island, September 11, and a plethora of others. The text is clear,
extras such as a timeline and a list of famous people are helpful, and the photographs are powerful.
--Martha Squaresky
