The Great White Shark Scientist (Scientists in the Field)

Gr 5-8—Prepare to be enveloped in saltwater air and dizzying blue water in this latest entry from veteran author Montgomery. A tense opening line delivered by 52-year-old great white shark biologist Greg Skomal is sure to hook readers: "It's pretty treacherous right here." But as they will soon discover, for Skomal and team, the even greater danger is not seeing a great white at all. Montgomery deftly balances information and intrigue without delving into the sensational; the emphasis is always on providing unique insight into the fieldwork of scientists and the absolute patience and perseverance it takes to locate, identify, gather, and analyze scientific data under challenging circumstances. Her travels with Skomal and her journey into a shark cage with biologist Erick Higuera are evidence of a genuine interest in understanding great whites and reversing negative attitudes about them. Readers will come to learn that the perceived danger surrounding sharks does not always match reality (the prime example offered being the astounding number of Americans injured by toilets in comparison to shark-related deaths in a year) and that these creatures are in desperate need of quality protection and conservation efforts. Ellenbogen's crystal clear photographs range from intimate shots of crew members and aquatic life to large aerial overviews of the inlets and waters they are sailing on—students will be sure to stop and linger over these gorgeous images. VERDICT Exceptionally written and highly recommended for those looking to give a timely summer boost to STEM collections.—Della Farrell, School Library Journal

Shark biologist Greg Skomal and his research team search for great whites in the waters off Cape Cod and Guadalupe in this exciting addition to the Scientists in the Field series. Their quest is as much about finding and tagging new sharks as it is about tracing the movements of old friends: by checking detector buoys that record the presence of tagged sharks, the scientists learn who has been in the area. Aerial photographs show the shadowy shapes of sharks below the waves, and underwater shots taken in Guadalupe reveal sharks surrounding the scientists' submersible cage. Interspersed between chapters are sections that discuss shark anatomy, behavior, and statistics. Montgomery's play-by-play narration and Ellenbogen's dramatic photos give the scientific excursion a thrilling sense of immediacy that should leave readers feeling like they're along for the voyage. Ages 10-12. (June)