SUMMARY:
This non-fiction is about volcanoes and what happens when they erupt.Mount Pinatubo was a volcano in Asia. The villagers were surprised that they lived on top of a volcano all the time.Scientist came to investigate the situation. John Evert was the American scientist at the time. He had a passion for working near volcanoes. The villagers were warned to vacate immediately because there would be an eruption. On June 12, 1991, Pinatubo erupted. It was small, but a typhoon hurricane also hit the village at the same time.Approximately, 1000 people died.
It has been established that big blast from volcanoes happen twice in a lifetime. However, small eruptions happen once a week. Sometimes extinct volcanoes erupt. For example Santa Maria in Central America in 1902.Most volcanoes are found on the ocean floor and eruption takes place deep under water. Some volcanoes may blast and form craters called Caldera. An example was in California.They fill with water which forms lakes.
Another reason for eruptions is gas. For instance, in Africa,lake Nyos shot up some carbon dioxide and killed 1700 people. Scientist such as Stan and his team have such a passion working near volcanoes that they risk their lives. For instance while studying some yellow rocks on Galeras, South America, there was an explosion which killed six scientist and almost killed Stan. But there have been two major eruptions in the world; 1985 in South America, 23,000 people were killed.In 1902, Mount Pelee in the Caribbean killed 29,000.
As much as we may fear volcanoes, there are reasons why they were placed here on this earth. It helps with weather change and the formation of gold and silver. The ash helps to give the soil nutrients and they provide land.

PERSONAL:
This book is very informative and interesting. It is age appropriate for Grade twos and threes.The font is large and easy to read. The use of illustration especially the maps showed a clearer picture. The maps can also help children locate where volcanoes are located in the world. This book will aid in geography/social studies lessons.

CLASSROOM:
Using a huge map of the world, the students will identify the different volcanoes mentioned in the story. Then given individual blank maps the students will color the areas where volcanoes are located.
In my island Saint Lucia, there is the only drive-in volcano in the world called Sulphur Springs, where one can bathe in the early mornings before the sun rises. It is a huge tourist attraction. Using the smart board and power point, the teacher will show and have a brief discussion about it and also about the volcano eruption in Montserrat a few years ago. ( )