Monday, October 24, 2011

THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST


1.  BIBLIORAPHY
Montgomery, Sy. THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST. Ill. by Nic Bishop. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.  ISBN 0-618-14799-3

2.  SUMMARY
Award winning author Sy Montgomery and photographer Nic Bishop team up once again to journey with expert arachnologist  researcher, Sam Marshall, on his quest to study the wonders of the giant Goliath birdeater tarantula of the French Guiana rain forest. This eighty-page photo essay book’s documentary-like narrative weaves compelling facts about this South American spider, in addition to insight into research methods, as readers travel from the jungle, to Marshall’s laboratory in Ohio, and back again to the rain forest. The reader discovers along the way the uniqueness and importance of the tarantula.

3.  CRITICAL REVIEW
THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST overflows with scientist Marshall’s passion for the Goliath birdeater tarantula and his quest to study and protect the species.  Organized in seven chapters that follow Marshall from the heart of the rain forest, to his university laboratory in the states, and then again back to the field in French Guiana, the text may spark student interest in research. Meanwhile, the author and photographer enlighten and engage the reader, informing of this tarantula’s traits, habitat, habits, and virtual enemies.

Montgomery writes with clarity and light humor such as her reference to Sam’s “hairy” experiences. The lively writing juxtaposed with the up-close-and-personal photographs invite the reader into the tarantula scientist’s adventure in nature, and illicit respect and compassion for the species of arachnid. This informational text contains ample information, too much for one to digest in one sitting.  Never the less, the text and photos together bring the reader right down to eye level with this amazing creature. Three full pages of endnotes and special features enhance the other access features throughout the book and develop both reader interest and understanding. Note that it may be worthwhile to browse the photos and informative captions for a while before delving fully into this informative adventure.

4.  AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPTS
Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
Notable/Best Books (A.L.A), January 2005
Wilson’s Children, October 2010

HORN BOOK, July 2004: “Montgomery is effective in showing how scientists’ research questions integrate their field and laboratory study, and how Marshall’s enthusiasm drives his scientific work.”

KIRKUS REVIEW starred, February 2004: “Montgomery and Bishop team up for another stellar excursion into the world of working scientists.”

5. CONNECTIONS
Sy Montgomery includes downloadable classroom activities on the last page of The Tarantula Scientist text. Look under “Teachers Resources” at: http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/librarians/teacher.shtml or  http://www.authorwire.com .

Other award winning science books by Sy Montgomery:
THE SNAKE SCIENTIST, ISBN-13: 978-0618111190
THE MAN-EATING TIGERS OF SUNDARBANS, ISBN-13: 978-0618494903
ENCANTADO: PINK DOLPHIN OF THE AMAZON, ISBN-13: 978-0618131037


No comments:

Post a Comment