Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Manatee Scientists by Peter Lourie -ESSENTIAL

Lourie, Peter The Manatee Scientists: Saving Vulnerable Species (Scientists in the Field Series), 80 pgs. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011. $14.81. NON-FICTION

A detailed book with everything there is to know about Manatee’s. It provides a unique perspective -from the point of view of three different scientists, each studying a different subspecies. At one point the drama is high as one group tries to find out why a tracking device is no longer on the move! Contains all the essentials and more, including an emphasis on conservation.

My favorite thing about this series in general is that it tells the background of how each scientist ended up where they are today, showing that a career is more of a path, which takes work, than just a disembodied destination. This puts becoming something into a reachable place for students. Not to mention the numerous, large, and wonderful color photographs contained in the book. I think students will enjoy the good blend of well presented factual information with they dynamic story of each scientist and their adventures.

EL (K-3), EL -ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.


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