Is Sand a Rock?

“The sand on a beach can feel soft and powdery. So it might be hard to believe that it comes from hard, solid rock.” This fascinating look at sand clearly explains the many ways these tiny grains form. Waves crash against cliffs, for example, and wind carries sand all over the world. Sand created from rock or shells can be many different colors: pink shells, for instance, turn into pink sand. Striking full-page photographs feature helpful labels. Diagrams and microscopic views of sand are also included—one remarkable image shows a magnification “125 times bigger than in real life.” Text boxes ask questions and offer additional facts (“Every single grain of sand on Earth is different. No two grains have the same shape.”). Back matter contains a “Science Lab” activity and questions, picture glossary, suggestions for further reading, a link to publisher-approved Web resources, and an index.