Hermit Crabs

Reviewed by: Margy Soule - Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 13, 2008

Review

This nonfiction work would benefit from fewer exclamation points and more careful editing. On page 22, readers are given six words about crabs to write a sentence with "answers on page 24" directly below the six words. There is no sample paragraph on page 24. "Sometimes, two hermit crabs fight over the same shell!"is an example of six exclamation points that might fit the Science Slam series style but does not add to objective, critical thinking. Close, colorful, clear photos, diagrams with labels, index, page headings, interesting facts, and side text make the facts accessible to early readers and teachers who like informational books, however, the text does not flow naturally. On balance, this title is not recommended.

Overall Book Score: fair