Erosion: How Hugh Bennett Saved America’s Soil and Ended the Dust Bowl (Moments in Science)

Great book for helping teach kids about the Dust Bowl, erosion, and soil conversation. Fits in well with our Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition unit. Interesting for all ages.

I'm very happy that a children's book about Mr. Bennett's work exists. The work of any other environmentalist in history pales in comparison to this Tarheel's achievements. But, he didn't call soil "dirt".

While I did enjoy the story, I was disappointed it barely covered what the erosion was and didn't delve into the farm solutions. It mentioned them all in one sentence without explaining or picturing what the solutions meant. The bulk on the story is on the government program designed to educate farmers about better techniques. In the back are some very interesting short essays that old kids and adults will enjoy.

This was an excellent book!! Used it with my 4th grade class when we were doing a unit on erosion. Great that it was a historical story that taught them (and me) about a historical figure we hadn’t heard of before.

This is a fascinating and well-told tale of a little-known moment in history. What caused the Dust Bowl? Soil erosion. And who saved the soil? Hugh Bennet. Pattison merges history, science, and advocacy in this book with many possible classroom connections.

Darcy Pattison is an Arkansas children's book author and writing teacher. In 1999, she created the Novel Revision Retreat, which she now teaches across the nation. As a children's book author her books have been translated into ten languages, and have been recognized for excellence by starred reviews, Book of the Year awards, state award lists and more. She is the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor's Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children's literature. For her science moments she has offered four National Science Teachers Association Science Trade Books.The Moments In History series to date has provided BURN, CLANG, ECLIPSE, and POLLEN, and now adds EROSION to that most informative and entertaining series. In this fine ‘moments in history’ Darcy relates her version of early environmentalist Hugh Bennett’s work to protect the land after the devastation of the devastating Dust Storms (aka Dust Bowl) of the 1930s with the excellent illustrations by British illustrator Peter Willis. His foresight and research resulted in creating methods to prevent soil erosion, a contribution that initiated his founding of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, involving the government in environmental protection.Making science fun is a gift Darcy owns and with the aid of Peter Willis she brings special discovery moments alive. Excellent for youngsters (and adults…). Recommended. Grady Harp, June 20

The turning point of the Dust Bowl is the story of Hugh Bennett and the other men who believed in soil conservation. With terrific illustrations to focus the reader, the author has written the p;ight of the Dust Bowl and the drama that led to some solutions in way that is spell binding and understandable. This book should be in the hands of every school librarian and read to every classroom. Adults will discover an historic event that changed history, but few know about. Important book for history buffs and educators.