Description
Who knew that some insects can create explosions to get food? Or that fireworks were once used to fight wars?
Explosions are all around us, from the Big Bang that created the universe to the 鈥減op鈥� of a seedpod, from solar flares to the explosive gases lurking in a coal mine.
Full of fun facts, dramatic images and highlights of momentous blasts in history鈥攊ncluding the infamous Halifax explosion of 1917鈥�Kaboom! examines an astonishing variety of explosions and the science behind them. Many remarkable blasts are a result of human ingenuity, from carving the faces of four American presidents into a wall of granite on Mount Rushmore, to the development of asthma inhalers based on a beetle鈥檚 explosive pulses to scare predators.
The many exciting guises of explosions are revealed ways both engrossing and surprising.
Awards
- Long-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award 2010
- Long-listed, Red Cedar Information Book Award 2010
- Short-listed, Silver Birch Award, Ontario Library Association 2010
- Winner, Science Communication Award, American Institute of Physics 2010
- Joint winner, Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children鈥檚 Book Centre 2010
Reviews
鈥淎n engrossing attention-getter, effectively tapping the sensationalism of all types of blasts.鈥�
- School Library Journal, 12/09
鈥淧acked with information . . . Fun for browsing.鈥�
- Booklist, 12/09
鈥淩ichardson鈥檚 writing style will appeal to readers. Educational and appealing. Highly recommended.鈥�
- CM Reviews, 11/09
鈥淒eserves to be read for general interest as well as educative purposes; it is truly a blast.鈥�
- Resource Links, 12/09