Rocks & Minerals

Addressing readers directly in engaging second-person narration, Simon examines a wide range of rocks and minerals, their properties, and how one goes about identifying them: “Telling one mineral from another is something like guessing the villain in a mystery story,” he writes, leading into a discussion of the clues provided by color, luster, and the “streak” a mineral leaves behind when tested. Simon includes a substantial amount of detail while still keeping his explanations accessible (“when you touch a diamond at room temperature it feels cold because it conducts heat away from your fingers”). Plentiful photographs—of gem and mineral specimens, as well as larger natural landscapes—complement the main narrative, and closing tips about collecting and studying rocks offer a natural lead-in to post-reading activities. Ages 6–10. Agent: Wendy Schmalz, Wendy Schmalz Agency. (Aug.)