Deadly Mine: Libby, Montana
In 1963, Les Skramstad came home after a hard day's work at the local mill and mine in Libby, Montana. His wife kissed him at the door and his kids playfully grabbed his legs. They didn't mind that he was covered in powdery brown dust. Little did Les and his family know that the dust was deadly. Deadly Mine: Libby, Montana traces the tragic story of a small mining town that eventually became poisoned by a deadly mineral called asbestos. Fascinating photos of the actual events, maps, and fact boxes enrich the compelling text. The personal and heart-breaking story will grip and inspire young readers.
| Interest Level | Grade 2 - Grade 7 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 3 |
| BISACS | JNF051160 |
| Genre | Nonfiction, Great for Hi-Lo Readers, Narrative Nonfiction |
| Copyright | 2018 |
| Publisher | Bearport Publishing |
| Series | Eco-Disasters |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 32 |
| ISBN | 9781684022229, 9781684022762, 9781684023301 |
|---|---|
| Title Format | Reinforced book, Hosted eBook, Savings Bundle |
| Dewey | 615.9'25392240978681 |
| Dimensions | 8 x 10 |
| ATOS Reading Level | 5.8 |
| Guided Reading Level | T |
| Lexile Reading Level | 920 |
| Author | Kevin Blake |
School Library Journal Review of Eco-Disasters
Gr 4-6–A dramatic introduction sets the scene of each event, followed by short chapters that describe it from start to finish or to its current status, with an emphasis on its immediate and continuing human costs. Each book clearly states who or what was responsible for the disaster, and discusses restitution or lack thereof to victims, as well as the ongoing or long-term detrimental effects. “Fixing the Future” sections detail continuing cleanup efforts or measures to prevent future calamities….VERDICT: This set will help readers understand the myriad large-scale ecological disasters that can happen and their lasting human and societal costs. A solid purchase.
Booklist Review for Deadly Mine: Libby, Montana
The Eco-Disasters series examines environmentally based catastrophes that have severely impacted human life. Here readers visit Libby, Montana, where a long history of vermiculite mining has afflicted its residents with deadly lung disease. This lightweight mineral became a popular building insulator in the 1960s, but unbeknownst to anyone, Libby’s vermiculite was contaminated with asbestos. Dust from the processing mill regularly blew over the town, exposing residents to asbestos for decades. Readers will connect with this tragedy through the compelling photos and personal stories threaded through the text. Rather than sensationalize the disaster, the book fosters a rounded understanding of how it occurred with a compelling mix of area history, science, and governmental action, along with the cleanup efforts in its wake. A fascinating history with numerous STEM connections.
| Author/Illustrator biography |
| Correlations |
| Glossary of key words |
| Index |
| Online learning supplement |
| Sources for further research |
| Table of contents |
| Full-color illustrations, Full-color photographs, Historical photographs |