Honey Girl: The Hawaiian Monk Seal

Though a bit rough around the edges, this very personal story should engage animal-loving readers.

Gr 1-4—When Honey Girl, an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, is found with a fishhook in her cheek and her tongue cut by fishing line, scientists begin the difficult task of trying to help her. They carefully remove the fishhook and save part of her tongue, and slowly but surely Honey Girl begins to eat fish on her own again. When she is released, scientists track her and make sure she is gaining weight. They are surprised and happy to find that Honey Girl will be having a baby seal, and make sure no one bothers the endangered seals while they are on the beach. Honey Girl makes a recovery and even becomes a grandmother. The importance of protecting animals like Honey Girl and making sure their environment is safe is conveyed through text and the well-lit illustrations. The care the scientists take in helping Honey Girl is evident, and young readers will be able to find out more through the informative back matter, which describes the life cycle of Hawaiian monk seals and details conservation efforts to save them. VERDICT An important book to place in the hands of all future conservationists. Highly recommended.—Selenia Paz, Helen Hall Library, League City, TX

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