Life on Surtsey: Iceland's Upstart Island (Scientists in the Field), written by Loree Griffin Burns, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary:  A summer research project on an island created by volcanoes brought a small group of scientists (and a writer and a cook) to this new Island off of Iceland. Each chapter has the main text and fact boxes which connect to that chapter. This is part of the Scientists in the Field series that is well know for non-fiction essentials including captioned photographs, Table of Contents, Index, Glossary, and further information. Unique to this book is the Appendix of Icelandic language and culture that are fascinating.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  As is usual for this series the backmatter is formidable and the photography is fascinating. I have students who only read the captions of the photos and the glossary and others who poured over this book from beginning to end. I really loved the Icelandic language information and a bit on the cultural norms in that area. It never occurred to me that it would remind me of what little I know about Gaelic language and culture. My students have not seemed as interested in the language differences, but but there was much chatter among some students about the bathroom issues as the team could not in any way affect the new island and created a plan to care for their body waste.