Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Rocks & Minerals

Rate this book
Did you know that Montana’s Grasshopper Glacier is filled with millions of frozen locusts that got caught in a storm more than 300 million years ago? Or that gneiss is one of the world’s oldest rock forms? One sample from Canada is more than FOUR BILLION years old! In this latest single-subject Weird But True! book, readers will have a blast discovering that there’s a lot more to rocks and minerals than meets the eye.

This book is perfect for budding geologists or any kid who likes to get to the bottom of things, such as how volcanoes work or the difference between fool’s gold and actual gold. Prepare to be dazzled by our rockin’ world!

Also

192 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2022

2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read

About the author

Michael Burgan

410 books30 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
6 (40%)
4 stars
8 (53%)
3 stars
1 (6%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Profile Image for Stacie.
1,895 reviews120 followers
June 23, 2022
Rocks are everywhere…here on Earth and even in Outer Space. Plus there are the rocks we see on the ground, rocks that create mountains, and rocks that we don’t see that are below the Earth’s surface or in the ocean. Geologists are scientists who study rocks and the minerals in the rocks as well as how volcanoes erupt, where earthquakes may shake next, and where natural resources are located that could be used for various purposes. The author calls the geologists he features, “Rock Stars” and profiles them throughout the book. Some are current and some of them have blazed trails in the past for future information and learning.

The book begins with an explanation of what a rock really is and also includes a glossary of terms used throughout the book. I like that the author chose to put this right at the beginning rather than at the end. It makes more sense for kids to know the vocabulary before starting the reading.

I didn’t expect the rainiest spot in the United States to be in Hawaii as well as the second wettest spot on the planet. I would have thought there were much wetter rainforests than here in the US. Mount Waialeale receives about 450 inches of rain every year. If you have a child interested in geology, visiting some of the sites mentioned in the book would makes for an exciting vacation like Yellowstone National Park, Devil’s Tower, or Mount St. Helens.

If I had to choose a favorite rock, I would choose a geode. As a child, our family found a few in the area where I grew up. I loved the sparkly inside of the geode and visiting places that made grottos out of geodes. Arches National Park is still on my bucket list. Rock sculptures created by nature have formed over 2,000 natural stone arches in an area in Utah that 300 million years ago was covered by an ocean.

Due to recent rains, there have been devastating landslides in Yellowstone National Park. Landslides can start from a volcano eruption or from torrential storms. They can run for several miles and push away anything in it’s path. Engineers have found some ways to help prevent landslides by placing protective netting over rock walls or soil as well as possibly blowing up rocks that appear to be a danger.

Part of geology is also archeology which is the uncovering of items left behind generations ago. One of my favorite things to do as a child was to look for arrowheads along our riverbed behind our house. We found quite a collection.

I was impressed by the various women “rock stars” featured in the book as early as the 1800 and 1900s who studied rocks and whose research led to other discoveries. These were pioneering women and I hope their history would encourage more girls to study in the field of geology. I didn’t even touch on all the various minerals discussed in the book as well including gold, silver, diamonds, copper, bronze, and more.

Even though this book has nearly 200 pages, it doesn’t feel overwhelming. These Weird but True books are always a favorite with kids because of their awesome photography, concise explanations, and fun facts sprinkled throughout the book. Kids that like facts or learning about science will find this book interesting and may add some rocks to visit on their own bucket list.
Profile Image for K.L. Bernard.
Author 1 book22 followers
April 18, 2022
Rocks and minerals are interesting, and these weird but true fun facts are exciting. Readers will learn about the cycle of rocks and how they can change over time. Readers will also learn about the earth’s layers and how many miles each one is.

This handy guide is filled with sections sharing photos, history, fun facts, archeology and so much more. Parents, teachers, and students will learn about the rocks under the sea and even on Mars. There are magical and mysterious minerals, young paleontologists, and meteorites. This guide can teach you how to recycle and become a rockhound. There is a glossary in the back and more resources for learning and comprehension.
Profile Image for Raven Black.
2,823 reviews5 followers
March 8, 2023
Can be a bit busy at times, but overall a fun book about the world of rocks, minerals and more!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.