Nest of Dinosaurs: The Story of the Oviraptor, by Norell, Mark A. and Lowell Dingus.
Grade 5 (but interesting to anyone with an interest in fossil hunting). The authors chronicle the expeditions into the desolate area of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia where the first dinosaur nests were found. Hardcover: ISBN 0385325584.
The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Fossils, by Thompson, Carol Nehring.
Grades 6-Adult. A great guide to the question: What kind of fossil is this? Paperback: ISBN 0394524128.
Big Bang: The Story of the Universe, by Couper, Heather and others.
Grades 6-Adult. From the "Big Bang" to the present, the story of the Universe is told as an unfolding saga. Hardcover: ISBN 0789414848.
The Big Rock, by Hiscock, Bruce.
Grades 4-7. Looks at how a granite rock near the author's house reveals information about Earth history. Paperback: ISBN 0689829582, Hardcover: ISBN 0689314027.
Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones, by Barton, Byron.
Grades K-3. This book is about paleontologists who go out to collect the bones of T-Rex, and how they assemble the T-Rex in the Natural History Museum. It includes the names of many other dinosaurs as well. The colors are really great! Paperback: ISBN 0690048270, Hardcover: ISBN 0690048254.
Caves, by Morris, Neil.
Grades 4-7. All about the creation of caves and the animals (including humans) and plants that live(d) in them. Paperback: ISBN 0865058423, Hardcover: ISBN 0817243461.
Crystal & Gem, by Symes, R.F. and others.
Grades 4-7. Terrific photos and information on formation and uses of crystals and gem stones. Hardcover: ISBN 0679807810.
Earth, by Grimshaw, Caroline.
Grades 4-7. Deals with basic geoscience questions such as the origin of Earth and geological/biological changes through time. Paperback: ISBN 0716613050, Hardcover: ISBN 1568474539.
Earthquakes, Vol. 1, by Simon, Seymour.
Grades K-3. All about earthquakes and their interactions with human-made structures. Paperback: ISBN 068814022X, Hardcover: ISBN 0688096344.
Everybody Needs A Rock, by Baylor, Byrd and Peter Parnall.
Grades K-3. A neat book full of earnest advice about picking out the perfect "pet" rock. Paperback: ISBN 0689710518, Hardcopy: ISBN 0684138999.
Rocks and Minerals, by Visscher, Raymond Turvey and N.J. Hewetson.
Grades K-3. Kids can learn about fossils as well as the properties of common rocks and minerals. Paperback: ISBN 0789416824.
Fossils Tell of Long Ago, by Aliki.
Grades K-3. Tells about the formation of fossils and clues they give us in interpreting past environments. Paperback: ISBN 0064450937, Hardcover: ISBN 0690048297.
Geology Crafts for Kids: 50 Nifty Projects to Explore the Marvels of Planet Earth, by Anderson, Alan and others.
Grades 4-7. General earth science activities explore subjects such as volcanoes, fossils, rocks & minerals, and erosion. Paperback: ISBN 0806981571, Hardcover: ISBN 0806981563.
Glossary of Geology, by Jackson, Julia A..
Grades 9-Adult. Is concrete a rock? What exactly is mineral hardness? Is quartzite a rock name, or a mineral? These are questions that can be easily answered with the Glossary of Geology. Hardcover: ISBN 0922152349.
Halley Came to Jackson, by Carpenter, Mary Chapin and Dan Andreasen.
Grades K-3. Inspired by an incident in Eudora Welty's "One Writer's Beginnings" in which Welty's father shows his infant daughter Halley's comet. Carpenter's song "Halley Came to Jackson" serves as the text for this unusual picture book. This is a book/cassette kit. Hardcover: ISBN 0060254009.
Janice VanCleave's Earth Science for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work, by VanCleave, Janice.
Grades K-6. A terrific collection of earth science experiments for kids. Paperback: ISBN 0471530107.
Janice VanCleave's Oceans for Every Kid: Easy Activities That Make Learning Science Fun, by VanCleave, Janice.
Grades 4-7. Hands-on activities as well as good information on oceanographic techniques, topography of the ocean floor, ocean movements, and sea water properties. Paperback: ISBN 0471124532.
Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, by VanCleave, Janice.
Grades 4-7. Twenty simple experiments explaining earthquakes that kids can do with materials found in the home. Paperback: ISBN 0471571075.
A Look at Rocks: From Coal to Kimberlite, by Kittinger, Jo S.
Grades 4-7. Describes the formation, appearance, and types of rocks. Also discusses the changes rocks undergo, and how to start a rock collection. Paperback: ISBN 053115887X, Hardcopy: ISBN 0531203107.
The Magic School Bus Inside The Earth: (Magic School Bus Series), by Cole, Joanna.
Grades K-3. Gives excellent details beyond the central story line that fills in more of the geology. Paperback: ISBN 0590407600, Hardcover: 0590407597.
Planet Earth, by Watt, Fiona and others.
Grades 6-Adult. One of the best elementary earth science books available. Paperback: ISBN 0746006373, Hardcopy: ISBN 0881105104.
Planet Earth/Inside Out, by Gibbons, Gail.
Grades K-3. A simple, clear introduction to earth science, covering Earth's genesis, composition, and continuing morphology. Good descriptions of complex processes. Paperback: ISBN 0688158498, Hardcover: ISBN 0688096808.
Planet Ocean: A Story of Life, the Sea, and Dancing to the Fossil Record, by Matsen, Brad and Ray Troll.
Wide age range. A great look at the third planet out from the sun. Paperback: ISBN 0898157781, Hardcover: ISBN 0898156181.
Rocks and Minerals, by Symes, R.F. and Colin Keates.
Grades 4-7. Full color pictures and interesting text about the formation and uses of rocks and minerals. Hardcover: ISBN 0394896211.
Stone Wall Secrets, by Thorson, Kristine, Robert Thorson, and Gustav Moore.
Grades 4-7. A farmer shares the geological history of the stones in a stone wall around the family's property with his grandson. Hardcover: ISBN 0884481956.
Mystery of Mars, by Ride, Sally and Tam O'Shaughnessy.
Grade 3-6. Intelligent, comprehensive, and colorful introduction of Mars aimed at young readers. The book is presented as if you were on your way to solve the mystery of Mars yourself--flying over or stepping onto the surface. Hardcover: ISBN 0517709716.
Tiniest Giants, by Dingus, Lowell and Luis Chiappe.
Although this book is meant for 10-year-olds, all ages can appreciate this story. It chronicles the fossil-hunting expedition of a group of Argentinean and American paleontologists who found the first fossilized embryonic dinosaur skin. Hardcover: ISBN 0385326424.
No Stone Unturned and under Earth, by Press, Frank, Raymond Siever, and E.K. Peters
Grades 9-Adult. An unbeatable introductory text written by masters of both education and earth science. Paperback: ISBN 0716731339.
Volcano & Earthquake, by Van Rose, Susanna.
Grades 4-7. Discusses where and how earthquakes and volcanoes occur, prediction, and human interaction with these natural phenomena. Hardcover: ISBN 0679816852.
Volcano: The Eruption & Healing of Mount St. Helens, by Lauber, Patricia.
Grades 4-7. Beautiful photographs and information about the eruption and aftermath of Mount St. Helens. Paperback: ISBN 0689716796.
You're Aboard Spaceship Earth, by Lauber, Patricia and Holly Keller.
Grades K-3. Compares Earth to a space shuttle which contains everything that the crew needs to survive. Explains the water cycle, oxygen/carbon dioxide cycle, and mineral recycling by plants and animals. Paperback: ISBN 0064451593, Hardcover: ISBN 0060244089.
The above reviews represent the opinions of the recommending GSA members,
and do not necessarily reflect the mission and ideals of the GSA organization.
Nest of Dinosaurs: The Story of the Oviraptor, by Norell, Mark A. and Lowell Dingus.
Grade 5 (but interesting to anyone with an interest in fossil hunting). The authors chronicle the expeditions into the desolate area of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia where the first dinosaur nests were found. Hardcover: ISBN 0385325584.
Big Bang: The Story of the Universe, by Couper, Heather and others.
Grades 6-Adult. From the "Big Bang" to the present, the story of the Universe is told as an unfolding saga. Hardcover: ISBN 0789414848.
The Big Rock, by Hiscock, Bruce.
Grades 4-7. Looks at how a granite rock near the author's house reveals information about Earth history. Paperback: ISBN 0689829582, Hardcover: ISBN 0689314027.
Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones, by Barton, Byron.
Grades K-3. This book is about paleontologists who go out to collect the bones of T-Rex, and how they assemble the T-Rex in the Natural History Museum. It includes the names of many other dinosaurs as well. The colors are really great! Paperback: ISBN 0690048270, Hardcover: ISBN 0690048254.
Caves, by Morris, Neil.
Grades 4-7. All about the creation of caves and the animals (including humans) and plants that live(d) in them. Paperback: ISBN 0865058423, Hardcover: ISBN 0817243461.
Everybody Needs A Rock, by Baylor, Byrd and Peter Parnall.
Grades K-3. A neat book full of earnest advice about picking out the perfect "pet" rock. Paperback: ISBN 0689710518, Hardcopy: ISBN 0684138999.
Rocks and Minerals, by Visscher, Raymond Turvey and N.J. Hewetson.
Grades K-3. Kids can learn about fossils as well as the properties of common rocks and minerals. Paperback: ISBN 0789416824.
Glossary of Geology, by Jackson, Julia A..
Grades 9-Adult. Is concrete a rock? What exactly is mineral hardness? Is quartzite a rock name, or a mineral? These are questions that can be easily answered with the Glossary of Geology. Hardcover: ISBN 0922152349.
Halley Came to Jackson, by Carpenter, Mary Chapin and Dan Andreasen.
Grades K-3. Inspired by an incident in Eudora Welty's "One Writer's Beginnings" in which Welty's father shows his infant daughter Halley's comet. Carpenter's song "Halley Came to Jackson" serves as the text for this unusual picture book. This is a book/cassette kit. Hardcover: ISBN 0060254009.
Janice VanCleave's Earth Science for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work, by VanCleave, Janice.
Grades K-6. A terrific collection of earth science experiments for kids. Paperback: ISBN 0471530107.
Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, by VanCleave, Janice.
Grades 4-7. Twenty simple experiments explaining earthquakes that kids can do with materials found in the home. Paperback: ISBN 0471571075.
A Look at Rocks: From Coal to Kimberlite, by Kittinger, Jo S.
Grades 4-7. Describes the formation, appearance, and types of rocks. Also discusses the changes rocks undergo, and how to start a rock collection. Paperback: ISBN 053115887X, Hardcopy: ISBN 0531203107.
The Magic School Bus Inside The Earth: (Magic School Bus Series), by Cole, Joanna.
Grades K-3. Gives excellent details beyond the central story line that fills in more of the geology. Paperback: ISBN 0590407600, Hardcover: 0590407597.
Planet Earth, by Watt, Fiona and others.
Grades 6-Adult. One of the best elementary earth science books available. Paperback: ISBN 0746006373, Hardcopy: ISBN 0881105104.
Planet Earth/Inside Out, by Gibbons, Gail.
Grades K-3. A simple, clear introduction to earth science, covering Earth's genesis, composition, and continuing morphology. Good descriptions of complex processes. Paperback: ISBN 0688158498, Hardcover: ISBN 0688096808.
Planet Ocean: A Story of Life, the Sea, and Dancing to the Fossil Record, by Matsen, Brad and Ray Troll.
Wide age range. A great look at the third planet out from the sun. Paperback: ISBN 0898157781, Hardcover: ISBN 0898156181.
Mystery of Mars, by Ride, Sally and Tam O'Shaughnessy.
Grade 3-6. Intelligent, comprehensive, and colorful introduction of Mars aimed at young readers. The book is presented as if you were on your way to solve the mystery of Mars yourself--flying over or stepping onto the surface. Hardcover: ISBN 0517709716.
Volcano & Earthquake, by Van Rose, Susanna.
Grades 4-7. Discusses where and how earthquakes and volcanoes occur, prediction, and human interaction with these natural phenomena. Hardcover: ISBN 0679816852.
Volcano: The Eruption & Healing of Mount St. Helens, by Lauber, Patricia.
Grades 4-7. Beautiful photographs and information about the eruption and aftermath of Mount St. Helens. Paperback: ISBN 0689716796.
You're Aboard Spaceship Earth, by Lauber, Patricia and Holly Keller.
Grades K-3. Compares Earth to a space shuttle which contains everything that the crew needs to survive. Explains the water cycle, oxygen/carbon dioxide cycle, and mineral recycling by plants and animals. Paperback: ISBN 0064451593, Hardcover: ISBN 0060244089.