This informational text is packed with facts and sidebars about historical and modern-day disasters such as the Space Shuttle Challenger, the Great Smog of London, the Pacific Garbage Patch, the Library of Alexandria, Chernobyl, and more. Featuring TIME(c) content and images, the high-interest content will engage students in reading as they build their comprehension, vocabulary, and reading skills. Text features, a Reader's Guide, and the extended Try It! activity increase understanding of the material, and develop higher-order thinking. Check It Out! offers print and online resources for additional reading. Keep students reading from cover to cover with this captivating text!