Grade 3-4–Hamilton describes the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster and explains the causes and nature of tsunamis. Chapter spreads on those in Hawaii in 1960, Alaska in 1964, and Krakatoa in 1883 set the context for a longer description of the 2004 event. A closing chapter covers the risk of future tsunamis. The brief but readable text adequately presents the phenomenon and the specific events. Excellent, informative color photos include several that are not common to many of the other recent books on the topic. This book fits in between Thomas K. Adamsons easier Tsunamis (Capstone, 2005) and Mary Dodson Wades more advanced Tsunami: Monster Waves (Enslow, 2005). While Hamiltons focus is on the 2004 disaster, his broader scope makes this book a welcome addition to material for this age.
