The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut & Biscuit Bill: Case #2:
Mineral Mischief is the second book in a series of detective
books written for elementary students. It is 74 pages long and
has black and white illustrations throughout. It is divided into
seven chapters, and it concludes with a few pages of factual
information and experiments.
In this book, Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill are called on to help
find Maple Moo's missing mineral. The story opens with Joe-Joe
Nut cornered by gang of teenage bully lions (whose plans are foiled
when their father shows up), and it then moves into the case of
the missing mineral. The two detectives interview various residents
of Acorn Valley, eventually solving the case. This fun detective
story is filled with information about geology, including facts
about volcanic rock, gemstones, quartz, and others. So while Joe-Joe
Nut and Biscuit Bill solve the crime, the reader learns all about
rocks and minerals.
The book ends with an experiment called "Bubbling Rocks." There
is a supply list, and the supplies are basic household items or
are easily obtained if you don't have them on hand, with one exception--limestone
is suggested, though you can substitute chalk. The experiment simulates
acid rain and is easy to perform.
Overall, I think The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut & Biscuit
Bill: Case #2: Mineral Mischief is a fun book and would
be a good basic geology introduction or an entertaining supplement
to a science curriculum. It's also an entertaining read for young
rock hounds.
Product review by Courtney Larson, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine,
LLC, November 2011
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