Reviewed by Kathie Owens
Assistant Professor
Part of The Weather Watcher’s Library series, this book surveys cloud dynamics and the processes by which rain and snow develop. Topics described include the processes of evaporation and condensation, types of clouds, formation of rain and snow, snow regions and glaciers, and acid rain. The book concludes with a glossary of terms, suggestions for further reading (books), resources (including websites), and topic index. Features of the book include full-color pictures, several detailed diagrams, charts that organize information, and a detailed list of snow crystal types/shapes.
Middle school students will welcome the format of the book, with full pages of text broken up by many diagrams, color pictures, and definition boxes. One example of the latter is the description of “strange clouds,” which are rare clouds formed near mountain ranges and that resemble UFOs. In another chapter, the author answers the question, “Is it true that no two snowflakes are alike?” Readers will be surprised to find that scientific evidence from a cloud physics study indicates that snowflakes may indeed be alike. Another surprising piece of information revealed by the author is that raindrops have different shapes.
The author describes a simple condensation experiment that would be familiar to middle school students. The illustration of the role of condensation nuclei in the cloud formation process may leave the reader wondering; in my opinion, the author has given an incomplete and overly simplified picture of the cloud formation process. However, I believe this book will be a useful addition to the middle school library or science classroom and will invite students to learn more about meteorology.
Review posted on 12/26/2000
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