Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands
by Erinn Banting
Weigl, 2012. 32 pgs. Nonfiction

Lots of publishers are jumping on the Common Core/STEM trolley these days, but Weigl press with its AV2 series ought to be sitting somewhere towards the front of the bus. In this title, stunning visuals are described and explained by readily accessible text. Informational sections are interrupted here and there by "puzzler," given students and opportunity to test their knowledge of related material; for example, "Can you name some of the world's major island chains?" with a letter map and answers at the bottom of the page. One of the best components of this book (one in a series: Wonders of the World AV2) is that it has an online component. Simply go to the AV2 books website, type in the Book Code for the Galapagos Islands book, and then add the secret password from a particular location in the book; for example, the last word in the second paragraph of page 8. (Won't kids love this? I loved it!) This procedure opens the activities for this particular book including slide shows, high quality videos, quizzes, and links to additional information. All in all, this book, and hopefully the rest of the series, is an excellent example of what the new emphasis on nonfiction should produce.

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