Riches of the Earth Set (Franck, Irene M. Riches of the Earth, V. 15.)

From School Library Journal Grade 4-7--Each slim volume features text in double columns and good margins. All are generously illustrated with color photographs, reproductions, and simple maps. Unfortunately, the attractive format cannot salvage the texts. There are too many simplistic statements that will lead to misunderstandings. For example, in Wheat,"stalks of flowers" is misleading and "ears of wheat" is incorrect terminology. In other areas, the text is so wordy that it becomes meaningless. The discussions of the chemical compounds of the products are unlikely to be of interest to an audience that has had no or minimal exposure to chemistry. All volumes end abruptly with no concluding statements or documentation of facts. A disappointing effort.--Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.