Not So Hard! I'm Trying to Love Rocks by Bethany Barton

GEOLOGY... It's all starts with loving rocks.

But our young Rock Skeptic begs to differ. What's not to like about rocks? Mostly everything. They lie around on the ground. They're usually dirty, and they don't do anything--no matter how hard you poke 'em.

The Rock Expert has a good comeback. How about FOSSILS! VOLCANOES! DIAMONDS! They are all parts of . . .

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GEOLOGY!

GEOLOGY IS ABOUT WHAT THE EARTH IS MADE OF!

And the Rock Expert points out that we wouldn't be here without the results of geological processes--and igneous, metamorhic, and seditary rocks are all part of geology. Most of the surface of the earth we depend on for life begins as igneous rock, which morphs under pressure and weathering through metamorphic and sedimentary processes. Rocks are the basis of what we interact with daily, right under our feet--our continents, islands, mountains, and the minerals we use in so many ways.

EVEN THE MOST BORING ROCK IN YOUR BACKYARD IS A TIME MACHINE TO EARTH'S HISTORY AND WE WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT THEM!

The witty comic dialog between the rock skeptic and the rock expert, the president of the local Rock Club, makes the unbeliever into a solid rock fancier, and young primary readers can join the club, too, in author-illustrator Bethany Barton's I'm Trying to Love Rocks (Penguin/Random House, 2020). The dialogue between the two illustrates the rule that Science is all about asking questions. A book that may appeal especially to the reluctant science student, this is a lively, funny introduction to the study of geology that makes a great kick-off introduction for that popular unit on on rocks certain to come in the primary grades. Other books in Barton's naysaying science series are I'm Trying to Love Spiders, I'm Trying to Love Garbage, the punny, funny Give Bees a Chance and a cheery pitch for the so-called (but rarely beloved) Queen of the Sciences, I'm Trying to Love Math.

Quoth Kirkus Reviews, "Chock full of facts, diagrams, and examples, including fun end pages, this book will reward readers who return to it frequently. Bold lines, lively colors and clever use of white space make for an eye-catching read."

Rock Stars: Crystals and Gemstones by Chris and Helen Pellant

Kids are born rockhounds, but adult field guides can be a bit off-putting for the novice collector. Chris Pellant's Crystals and Gemstones (Rock Stars) (Gareth Stevens, 2009), part of this notable nonfiction publisher's Rock Stars series packs plenty of basic information into its 24 colorful, photo-filled pages. Author Pellant provides all the basics--facts about the big three, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, the mechanics of crystal formation, and the usefulness of crystals in daily life--from the diamonds in the British crown or in surgical blades to the crystals which compose our own bones.

Color photographs display the range of colors, forms and sizes which crystals and their refined relatives gemstones can take, and an intriguing graphic shows the range of hardness for crystals, from the durable diamond to the softness of talc, with practical advice on testing with fingernails (2 1/2 on the scale) to steel nails (5 1/2 on the scale). Organic gemstones (amber, coral, pearl) are also described with explanations of how they are formed and used.

A section titled "Crystal Collector" offers photos and descriptions of common collectible stones from augite to tourmaline, aquamarine to zircon. Directions for field collecting, storage, and display are clear and easy to read, and a glossary and index back up the textual information.

To spark interest, the author scatters star-shaped text boxes (IT'S A FACT!) with kid-catching tidbits of information to spark further investigation. One page features a display of popular birthstone gems, while another (RECORD BREAKERS) shows the biggest crystals (36 feet) and the oldest cut diamond (the 5000-year-old Koh-i-Noor), among others. Another engaging browsing page (DID YOU KNOW?) offers more fascinating facts (the Statue of Liberty looks green because of the atamite crystals caused by reaction with oxygen on the copper surface).

Good nonfiction books can expand on classroom knowledge or inspire a lifetime avocation among young readers. Crystals and Gemstones (Rock Stars) is a new entry on this popular subject which definitely makes the grade. See also Fossils (Rock Stars), another title in this solid series.