(3) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by Eric Puybaret. A trip down through the ocean's zones to a geothermal vent is imagined in a second-person narrative rich in scientific description. The you-are-there text allows readers to imagine themselves observing marine life and the pressures, temperatures, and light levels at each layer. The cool, deep-ocean-hued illustrations portray two children in a submersible amidst a host of named organisms. Experiment appended. Websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 The little-understood world of the deep ocean is explored in this examination of earth's hydrothermal vents. Color photos of underwater marvels and scientists at work supplement the authoritative text, which follows real-life research expeditions surveying these new terrains. An especially fascinating chapter presents links to the origins of life, and even to possible extraterrestrial life. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(2) 4-6 Scientists in the Field series. The book follows scientist Rich Lutz, a marine biologist who studies the undersea ecosystems found at hydrothermal vents. Mallory adeptly conveys the thrill of discovery and excitement in this field, where every dive brings new finds that expand scientific thinking. Plentiful color photographs allow readers to examine the deep-sea creatures in situ as well as up close. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2007

(4) 4-6 Incredible Deep-Sea Adventures series. These books examine historic events in underwater exploration. Extreme Dive discusses an Antarctic dive to research pollution on the sea floor. Record-Setting and Submersible look at two deep-sea studies of the sea floor and its unusual creatures. Although the writing is choppy, Matsen builds tension by revealing the risks of such dives. Average-quality photos accompany the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Incredible Deep-Sea Adventures titles: An Extreme Dive under the Antarctic Ice, The Incredible Record-Setting Deep-Sea Dive of the [cf4]Bathysphere[cf3], and The Incredible Submersible [cf4]Alvin[cf3] Discovers a Strange Deep-Sea World.]

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(4) 4-6 Incredible Deep-Sea Adventures series. These books examine historic events in underwater exploration. Extreme Dive discusses an Antarctic dive to research pollution on the sea floor. Record-Setting and Submersible look at two deep-sea studies of the sea floor and its unusual creatures. Although the writing is choppy, Matsen builds tension by revealing the risks of such dives. Average-quality photos accompany the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Incredible Deep-Sea Adventures titles: An Extreme Dive under the Antarctic Ice, The Incredible Record-Setting Deep-Sea Dive of the [cf4]Bathysphere[cf3], and The Incredible Submersible [cf4]Alvin[cf3] Discovers a Strange Deep-Sea World.]

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(4) 4-6 Turnstone Ocean Explorer Book series. These books portray cutting edge science research on ocean ecosystems by focusing on the work of researchers trying to answer questions about geological and biological topics. Down to a Sunless Sea covers the currently hot topic of hydrothermal vents and their ecology, while Ocean Detectives focuses on ocean environment and animal interaction. Color photographs are grainy. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford