Deirdre Langeland's Meltdown explores for middle grade readers the harrowing story of the deadly earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown that caused the 2011 Fukushima power plant disaster On March 11, 2011, the largest earthquake ever measured in Japan occurred off the northeast coast. It triggered a tsunami with a wall of water 128 feet high. The tsunami damaged the nuclear power plant in Fukushima triggering the nightmare scenario--a nuclear meltdown. For six days, employees at the plant worked to contain the meltdown and disaster workers scoured the surrounding flooded area for survivors. This book examines the science behind such a massive disaster and looks back at the people who experienced an unprecedented trifecta of destruction. Gr 6-8-The mechanics and impact of nuclear power generation in Japan are explored in this chronological account of the devastation wrought by the Tohoku earthquake, resultant tsunami, and nuclear meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in March 2011. The text features information from databases, books, websites, and media reports. From geological facts to chemistry concepts to technologies, Langeland explains the days-long series of catastrophic events that sparked the nuclear power plant meltdown. Labeled diagrams and photographs enhance the thorough presentation of facts. The clear scientific information is of encyclopedic quality, and an insightful concluding chapter shares lessons learned from these disasters. The survivors' accounts add a much-needed sense of context to the enormous amount of information but appear at irregular intervals, which dilute the opportunity for a stronger emotive connection for readers. An extensive bibliography, a glossary, a time line, and an index are included. VERDICT An in-depth, scientific approach to explain the disastrous 2011 Tohoku earthquake, deadly tsunami, and tragic nuclear meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan.­Rachel Mulligan, Pennsylvania State Univ.α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. A 2022 Notable Social Studies Trade Books List Selection! Praise for Meltdown : "A well-researched, sharply written, engrossing account of natural and nuclear disaster."―Kirkus, starred review "An in-depth, scientific approach to explain the disastrous 2011 Tohoku earthquake, deadly tsunami, and tragic nuclear meltdown of the Fukushima ­Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan."―School Library Journal Deirdre Langeland has been a children's book editor and writer for more than twenty years. She currently freelances as an editor and ghost writer, focusing on science and nature explainers for young readers. Her own books include Octopus' Den and Kangaroo Island . She lives in New York's Hudson River valley.