Journey into the Deep: Discovering New Ocean Creatures

Journey into the Deep: Discovering New Ocean Creatures

by Rebecca L. Johnson
Millbrook Press, 2010
ISBN 9780761341482
Review copy was provided by the publisher to the Southern Maine Library District.

This nonfiction book for middle grade and young adult readers highlights ocean life recently discovered by scientists during a ten-year long project called The Census of Marine Life. The book is divided into chapters based on the ocean zones. Some of the chapters include Shallow Edges, Deep Slopes, The Dark Zone, and Abyssal Plains. The photography in this book is truly stunning, and a lengthy caption accompanies each photo. Some of the newly discovered species described in the book include the squat lobster, comb jellies, and a see-through sea cucumber. Johnson describes the amazing marine discoveries by using a 2nd person narrative, which will hook many young readers.

"A ribbon of coral stretches out below you. Schools of brightly colored fish swirl past. As you swim over the reef, you spot sponges, sea cucumbers, anemones, spiny sea urchins, and a blue sea star. The reef is jam-packed with life. Scientists think tropical coral reefs might be home to more than one million different kinds of living things." [p. 11]

After collecting samples of ocean life, the Census scientists sort and identify each creature while taking care to document the GPS location. The marine biologists featured in this book collect marine life from all over the globe. A map and diagram of ocean levels at the beginning of each chapter prove to be useful tools for readers. Johnson ends with an epilogue about threats to the ocean's biodiversity including pollution, over fishing and global warming. A glossary, bibliography, and list of resources are included in the back of the book.

The amazing photographs, detailed information and accessible writing make this book an excellent addition to any school or public library collection.

6 Stars
(Gr. 4-8)

Energy Island by Allan Drummond

Energy Island: How One Community Harnessed the Wind and Changed Their World

Written and Illustrated by Allan Drummond

Frances Foster Books, an imprint of Farrar Straus Giroux, 2011

ISBN 978374321840
This reviewer checked out this book from her local public library.

Energy Island is a different kind of success story.  It traces how one small island community, over several years, worked together to stop their dependency on oil. A faceless narrator explains how the people of Samso, a small island located in the middle of Demark, were just like everyone else. They had gardens, went to the beach in summer, and never gave a thought to where their energy came from, or how much they used. They turned the heat up in winter, left lights on when not in a room, and used as much hot water as they wanted. 

“Our oil arrived by tanker ship and truck.  Our electricity came from the mainland by cable under the sea.”

It was when their island was chosen as an ideal place to become independent of nonrenewable energy that things began to change under the guidance of Soren Hermansen, an island teacher. It took many years before islanders agreed to put Hermansen’s ideas to the test.

Sidebars give explanations for older readers on relevant subjects: nonrenewable energy and energy independence, renewable energy, the problem of nonrenewable energy, global warming, wind energy, energy in the world, and saving energy.  The author’s style of illustrations lack details, which will frustrate some readers. For example, the map showing the location of Samso does not place it in context with other European neighbors, nor does it label the sea it lies in. (The North Sea) The book also lacks any mention of the negative environmental impact of wind turbines. Still, what resonates is the fact that one small community banded together to lessen their dependence on oil to help slow down global warming.  Now that is something to be proud of.  This informational nonfiction picture book is a recommended purchase for libraries who need to beef up books about renewable energy.

4 stars

Grade 3-5

First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew

First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew
Written and Illustrated by Robbin Gourley
Clarion Books, 2011
ISBN 9780547482248
The reviewer borrowed this book from her school library.

If you're looking for a book to introduce children to the world of gardening, this book may be just what you need. Robbin Gourley follows Michelle Obama's quest to create a garden at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew. Before readers learn about Mrs. Obama's garden initiative, the author outlines the history of gardening at the White House beginning with John Adam's garden in 1800. Numerous presidents and first families tended gardens including Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. Eleanor Roosevelt planted a victory garden during World War II, although young readers will need some explanation of victory gardens because a definition is not provided. Most of the watercolor illustrations complement the story nicely, however a few illustrations of people are awkward. After a brief history of White House gardens, the story returns to Mrs. Obama as she enlists the help of local school children and chefs to prepare meals made with vegetables from the White House garden. Colorful illustrations of vegetables and herbs adorn recipes in the back of the book along with a list of reasons to garden. Children will enjoy learning about the history of Presidential gardens while gaining an understanding of the importance of fresh, locally grown food.

4 stars
(Gr. K-4)

Silk & Venom: Searching for a Dangerous Spider

Silk & Venom: Searching for a Dangerous Spider
By Kathryn Lasky, Photographs by Christopher G. Knight
Candlewick Press, 2011
ISBN 9780763642228
Reviewer checked out book from public library.
 

Spiders get a bad rap in the animal world; they’re often seen as dangerous and scary. Silk & Venom: Searching for a Dangerous Spider helps remove the stigma associated with arachnids. The book follows scientist, Greta Binford, on her quest to locate the Loxosceles spider in the Dominican Republic. By discovering the species on the island of Hispaniola, Binford hopes to prove her theory that spiders crossed a land bridge million of years ago. Lasky describes in great detail how spiders utilize their webs and venom to capture and digest their prey as well as the importance of spiders to our world.

“The ability to adapt to a wide variety of habitats. A tool kit filled with an array of silks. Venomous fangs. Sensitive, hairy legs. Put it all together, and you’ve go a survivor: the spider” (p.12).

Binford’s love of spiders is apparent throughout the story as she enlists the help of Dominican villagers in her search for the elusive Loxosceles; she ventures into caves, dense forests, abandoned buildings and piles of rubbish. Young readers, especially fans of Nic Bishop’s Spiders, will be drawn to the close-up photographs of different species of spiders, however the text may be a bit advanced for readers below grade five. Silk & Venom would make an ideal nonfiction read aloud for upper elementary or middle school classrooms. Readers will take away a better understanding of how scientists apply the scientific method in the real world, and hopefully Silk and Venom will help spiders gain some respect too! A glossary of spiders accompanied by photographs is included at the end of the book. 

(Grades 5-8)

5 Stars

OIL SPILL! DISASTER IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BY ELAINE LANDAU

Oil Spill! Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico
Elaine Landau
Millbrook Press, 2011
ISBN 978076137485
This reviewer checked out this book from her local public library.

In 32 pages this nonfiction title, aimed at readers grades 4 thru 7, asks the question: Is there anything we can do to stop this from ever happening again, given the world's dependency on oil?  That's a no-brainer for me.  Stop driving cars!

Chapter 1.  April 20, 2010
"The day started out well for the crew on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig."  By 9:45 PM, "the crew knew they were in trouble."  The short chapter goes on to explain what happened that caused the explosion that begin the horrible spill.
Chapter 2 Stopping the Leak
Chapter 3 The Cleanup
Chapter 4 Disastrous Effects
Chapter 5 What's To Be Done.

The book's jacket cover will certainly grab readers' attention.  Inside, the black letters on a cream background make the book easy to read.  The large color photos are well placed throughout the book, sometimes two to a page.  The captions are white letters on a red background that really stand out.

Colorful diagrams are also included to help readers understand how specific key components in offshore drilling work.  Such as the Blowout Preventor, that very important devise that should have prevented the oil from leaking.

Landau, a strong writer of nonfiction, makes it clear from the get-go that BP was responsible for this massive environmental disaster.  She points out how our depencey on oil is a key factor in contributing to this disaster and goes on to say that "People everywhere can help bring change in another way -- by using less energy and fewer natural resources" we'll use less oil and, hopefully, reduce the chances of an oil spill.

The book includes tips on "What You Can Do" by writing to your representative in Congress. "Go Greener."  A brief look at "Oil's Messy History" helps children understand how destructive and long-lasting an oil spill is for our fragile planet.

Also included is a glossary, source notes, further reading and websites, and an index.

The book will be very useful in displays during Earth Day or about the environment.  Because of its brevity, middle schoolers may shy away from using it as a resource for a report.

I have to admit that it made me very sad to read it because, as an adult, I know that we should be doing more to protect the Earth and work towards oil independence.  In my Utopia, people walk, ride bikes, take trains or buses and oil guzzlers are a thing of the past.