Overall: This is a very comprehensive, illustrated book covering the history of salt. It begins with how salt was discovered/where it is naturally made and then details the uses and significance of salt throughout the centuries. For example, the book mentions how salt was used for food preservation, how the ancient Chinese built the first salt empire, and how salt was involved in the Revolutionary War. I really like this book because it combines two subjects-- history and science -- into a fun informational book.

Possible science topics:
-Food preservation
-Elements (Na, Cl) and chemical compounds (NaCl)
-The chemical effects of salt on various objects
-Minerals
-Salt mines

Strategies/Uses:
-I love how this book combines science with history. It shows how subjects are interrelated and dependent on each other. We could have a discussion about how science and history are not isolated subjects. For example, if a history standard is on the middle ages, we could simultaneously learn about how people preserved food using salt (and the science behind it).

Informational text features:
-Headers
-Timeline
-Diagram

This is a wonderfully illustrated book about the history of salt and it's affect on the civilizations of the world.I really appreciate that this book helped to simply explain the human need for salt. This book would be a wonderful asset to a learning center on food. This book would be a great addition to a study of money systems as well. ( )

This was a truly illuminating book. I really enjoyed it. Great facts and strong presentation. ( )

I chose this book because when I read the title, I thought about the Bible quote that states we are the salt of the world. How interesting, a book on salt. I wanted to learn more. This book discusses the history, chemcial makeup and physical properties of salt. This would be a great book to share for both social studies and science lessons. ( )

Retelling: The salt we put in a salt shaker on the dining room table doesn't look like a rock, but it is! It's the only rock we eat, and we aren't alone. Animals also need salt to survive. In this book Mark Kurlansky and S.D. Schindler reveal uncommon knowledge about salt including: how it humans have consumed enough salt over the ages using different technologies and resources; how leaders have used the demand for salt to either raise money (as in ancient China) or appeal to the masses (as in ancient Rome); How salt was used in both ancient Egypt and France during the 1600s to preserve bodies; and the central role salt has played in historical sagas up to the present day.

Thoughts and Feelings: What a fantastic book! Every sentence revealed something new and interesting about the relationship between salt civilization. I found it fascinating, for example, that the road to Buffalo, NY was originally made by Buffaloes seeking salt. I'm wondering how the authors managed to collect salt-related information from such a broad range of eras and disciplines.