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

Quinlan, Susan E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1590787757 ISBN 13: 9781590787755

Publisher: Astra Young Readers, 2010

Synopsis

Why would several monkeys suddenly fall from the trees? How do tiny frogs make deadly poisons? Why are passionvines so difficult to find? Why do certain plants harbor hordes of biting ants? What kind of creature pollinates an odd-looking flower? These are some of the mysteries explored in this fascinating follow-up to Susan Quinlan's award-winning The Case of the Mummified Pigs and Other Mysteries in Nature. Each of the eleven ecological mysteries in this NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade 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. Ms. Quinlan's carefully researched illustrations help readers visualize tropical forests, diverse plants and animals, and the details of each mystery.

About this title

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.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 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, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Astra Young Readers
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1590787757
• ISBN 13: 9781590787755
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 172