The Orca Scientists

by Kim Perez Valice

Overview

Follow the scientists working in the Pacific Northwest to learn about the orca whale population there, as they race to save these remarkable mammals from extinction. Perfect for fans of The Great White Shark Scientist and readers looking for excellent nonfiction on this high-interest animal.

Orcas have a reputation for being bloodthirsty, but that myth is being debunked as scientists learn more about these "killer" animals. Readers follow scientists in the Pacific Northwest who study the nuanced communication patterns, family structure, and socialization of orca whales, from marine biologists to specialists in the study of sound.

With stunning photography and attention to field-based detail, The Orca Scientists paints a vivid picture of the individuals who have made it their life's work to better understand orcas, as well as the whales they are helping to avoid extinction.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544898264
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	07/24/2018
Series:	Scientists in the Field Series
Pages:	80
Sales rank:	540,538
Product dimensions:	11.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	10 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kimberly Perez Valice is a writer who lives in Michigan with her family. The Orca Scientists is her first book. Visit Kimberly at kimperezvalice.com, or on Twitter at @kimpvalice.

Editorial Reviews

"Fans of these popular marine mammals will be intrigued."—Kirkus "A solid selection for collections where the series is popular."—School Library Journal   —

From the Publisher

07/01/2018
Gr 4–8—In this new addition to the series, Valice takes readers on a journey to the Pacific Northwest to explore the work of biologists studying orca whales. The prologue provides background information about the early days of tracking the marine mammals. Dr. Mike Bigg started counting and classifying them in the early 1970s out of concern for the number in captivity, and readers learn about developments and advancements since then. Scientists use photography and drones to identify orcas, examine their scat, and deploy hydrophones or underwater microphones to assess the impact of nearby boats. The images enhance readers' understanding of the text, and throughout there are sidebars that provide a deeper dive into topics, such as the Samish Indian Nation's naming ceremony for orcas and the typical diet for the whales. The book ends with information on how to get involved to help orcas through the Center for Whale Research and in everyday life. The back matter also makes this title a useful choice for research. VERDICT A solid selection for collections where the the series is popular.—Erica Thorsen, Albemarle High School, VA

School Library Journal

2018-05-28
On boats and in labs, biologists study the dwindling population of orcas living in the waters off the San Juan Islands between Canada and Washington.A study that began in 1971 is continued today by scientists from the Center for Whale Research. They photograph each orca in what are called the Southern Resident pods, follow them in the field, take blubber samples, collect their scat, and perform extensive lab analyses of their data. This attractively illustrated title introduces these family-loving mammals, often misnamed "killer whales." The Southern Residents are fish eaters; their usual prey are salmon, whose populations are also shrinking. Joining researchers in a small boat, the author observes a mother teaching her calf to fish. She describes another series of studies proving that sounds made by boats stress the orcas. She demonstrates the use of dogs trained to find whale scat and the use of a camera-equipped drone to photograph the pods without disturbing them. Between six longer chapters are shorter sections of whale facts as well as descriptions of the Samish Nation orca-naming ceremony, orca food around the world, a captive whale in Florida, and a Chinook salmon's migration; there are also suggestions for reader involvement. The exposition here is less immediate than in some other entries in this long-running series, the narrative arc hard to follow, and the maps unclear, but the story is important.Fans of these popular marine mammals will be intrigued. (glossary, selected bibliography and sources, acknowledgements and author's note, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews