Golusky, Jackie. Top Ten Minecraft Biomes: An Unofficial List. Addl. Creator Ty Chapman. Searchlight Books – Minecraft Top Tens. Lerner, 01/2025. 32pp. Nonfiction. PLB $30.65. 979-8-7656-4751-6. Paper $10.99. 979-8-7656-6228-1. GRADES 2–5. LOW ADDITIONAL.
SERIES REVIEW: This series of Minecraft books misses the mark for its intended audience. The books might be read in a single sitting by some students, but they are overly complex for a second-grade reader who is just discovering the game, and they do not offer enough detail for a fourth or fifth grader who is already becoming well versed in game play. My Minecraft-obsessed teen felt that the book on the Mobs was accurate and might be of interest to a younger player but that Biomes is way too complex for an introduction, and Potions did not offer step-by-step instructions, which is what most young players would want. We both felt that the text is too hard for the younger gamer and would be dissatisfying, and that the older Minecraft fan is looking for more substance. The books are illustrated with color photos, but many of them are too dark and obscure details. Although the books are accurate, they are unlikely to be heavily used by elementary readers, which makes it hard to justify the high cost.
Rachael Reiley—Independent