Imagine you are on a summer vacation road trip under the big sky of Oklahoma when suddenly that sky turns dark with an eerie greenish tinge. As small bits of hail begin to bounce off the hood of the car, you spot a funnel cloud in the distance. What should you do?! Can extreme weather and natural disasters be scary? Yes. But are they fascinating to learn about? Absolutely! This is especially true for the 8- to 12-year-old crowd. Luckily, the Library has no shortage of engaging books on the topic.

Every place on the planet experiences some form of natural threat, from tornadoes, tsunamis, and earthquakes, to extreme cold, volcanoes, and lightning. Exploring the science behind these events with kids opens a window to understanding their local environment and connects them to the rest of the world. Reading and discussing these books as a family can provide a wonderful opportunity to talk about your own personal experiences. You know you love to tell those “I remember when…” stories.

Informational book exploration is great for all kids, even reluctant readers; it capitalizes on their natural curiosity and allows them to focus on the sections of the books that most interest them. Kids learn that, with informational books, it is OK to flip through and read sections out of order.

Get the exploring and learning started with these great non-fiction titles.