Coral Reefs 

by Susan H. Gray

Nonfiction

Coral Reefs, written by Susan H. Gray is one among many of great reference books for children that this author has written.  This particular book is written for readers on a 4th grade reading level; however, the plethora of pictures provided allows even young readers to visually see examples of coral reefs. The first page includes a table of contents in which readers can easily find the chapters that are specific to certain topics about coral reefs.  The chapters include: Where in the World?, Coral Animals, How Do Polyps Eat?, Types of Coral Reefs, Life around a Reef, Crawling on the Reef, Living as a Team, Coral Bleaching, Hunting the Reefs, and Threats from Humans.  Each chapter correctly introduces facts about coral reefs while using bold print for key words such as algae.  The author does a great job of allowing students to become aware of what exactly a coral reef is and then challenging them with the last chapter to protect these wonders of nature.  In the last chapter of the book, readers are given information on how humans have damaged the reefs and that by becoming aware of these harmful acts, we can prevent further damage by becoming knowledgeable.  I would certainly use this book in my classroom library as a nonfiction piece, specifically in the Oceans section.  I would use this book in my classroom to integrate Science and literature by having students examine what coral reefs are and how they affect the world in which we live.