This is a great book for science-minder readers who are reading on their own and ready for a challenge. It tells the story of the destruction of Pompeii and its rediscovery in the modern era. As the title promises, Pompeii...Buried Alive! covers the eruption of Vesuvius in some detail, alternating between the experiences of the people on the ground and the geological processes of the eruption. Tender-hearted readers may struggle with depictions of Pompeii’s dying citizens and excavated remains, but enthusiastic STEM students will appreciate the book’s detailed explanation of the excavations. That said, I suspect that the image of 1980s computers at the end will shock modern readers more than any skeleton could. The illustrations are particularly lively. I’m especially fond of a cross section that shows the 18th century town on top of the buried Roman city. Few children’s books are as dedicated to stratigraphy as this book is. Pliny himself would approve. – Krishni Burns