The Case of the Monkeys That Fell from the Trees: And Other Mysteries in Tropical Nature

by Susan E. Quinlan

Overview

NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book 

Why would several monkeys suddenly fall from the trees? How do tiny frogs make deadly poisons? Why are passionvines so difficult to find? These are some of the mysteries explored in this fascinating nonfiction picture book.

Why do certain plants harbor hordes of biting ants? What kind of creature pollinates an odd-looking flower?  Each of the eleven ecological mysteries in this book follow scientists as they track down clues, set up curious experiments, and ultimately discover some of the surprising and hidden connections that make tropical forests so fascinating—and so fragile. Carefully researched illustrations help readers visualize tropical forests, diverse plants and animals, and the details of each mystery.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781590787755
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	08/01/2010
Pages:	172
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	1210L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Susan W. Quinlan is a wildlife biologist, who has worked for many years as a field biologist and outdoor educator. She lives in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Editorial Reviews

"Outstanding science writing and impressive scholarship make this a first choice for science enthusiasts."—Kirkus Reviews

"Fascinating case studies in a style that conveys the thrill of the scientific chase."—School Library Journal

"[Students] will be intrigued and amazed."—Library Media Connection

From the Publisher

Gr 6-9-Scientists are the sleuths in these 12 ecological mysteries set in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Each chapter describes a puzzling natural phenomenon and details the research conducted to explain it. For example, in the title study, a biologist investigates the sudden death of seven apparently healthy howling monkeys. Other cases look at why ithomiine butterflies are attracted to army ant swarms and if islands of tropical forests left amid newly created pastures and croplands can be enough to sustain some forest wildlife. Only one question examined remains unsolved. Realistic pen-and-pencil drawings of flora and fauna are interspersed throughout the book. A minor flaw-while most of the drawings are of good quality, the few depictions of people are awkward. Two maps and a detailed bibliography of original source material are included. Quinlan's book is well organized and clearly written, with scientific terms and concepts explained as they appear. Besides presenting some fascinating case studies in a style that conveys the thrill of the scientific chase, it also provides information on the different kinds of tropical forests and how they function. While general introductions to tropical forests such as April Pulley Sayre's Tropical Rainforest (21st Century, 1995) are available, Monkeys is unique in its approach and will appeal to both students of natural history and browsers with a taste for the unusual.-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Outstanding science writing and impressive scholarship make this a first choice for science enthusiasts. The author poses 11 ecological mysteries and carefully describes how scientists set about studying, experimenting, and testing various hypotheses to understand the rain forest. Along the way, she provides a detailed look at how contemporary field scientists work and gives the reader access to many specialized publications like Biotropica, Journal of Animal Ecology, and Toxicon, all carefully listed in the selected resources. As in her previous work, The Case of the Mummified Pig and Other Mysteries in Nature (1994), the author, a field biologist, introduces observations that puzzle scientists: Why do passionflower vines have leaves of different shapes? Where do poison-dart frogs get their poison? Or how come the ithomiine butterfly follows the army ants sipping from bird droppings? She then explains how scientists begin with an observation, develop a hypothesis, and then set up and conduct experiments to support or refute it. Individual mysteries are woven together to provide the reader with a better understanding of the complex and fragile ecosystem of the rain forest and to urge responsible stewardship. Intriguing and enriching. (extensive index) (Nonfiction. 10-13)

Kirkus Reviews