Undaunted: The Wild Life of Biruté Mary Galdikas and Her Fearless Quest to Save Orangutans

Silvey (Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall) spotlights another groundbreaking primatologist in this handsome photobiography of Galdikas, who was mesmerized by a photo of an orangutan while studying zoology at UCLA and knew she wanted to study wild primates. Anthropologist Louis Leakey became her mentor and secured funding for her pioneering research, which Silvey chronicles in a fact-packed narrative. Accompanied by her husband, Rod Brindamour, whose breathtaking photos illustrate this volume, Galdikas moved to Borneo in 1971, becoming the first scientist to study wild orangutans there. A fierce advocate for the protection of this endangered species and its habitat, Galdikas began a quest to observe and rehabilitate formerly captive or orphaned orangutans to prepare them for life in the wild, fostering many herself. The book includes some unfortunate omissions: there's no mention of the controversies surrounding Galdikas's discontinued orangutan rehabilitation program, and a sidebar about Borneo focuses on colonial occupation rather than its indigenous peoples, who are mentioned elsewhere in the book but curiously not there. These oversights aside, Silvey presents a crisp portrait of a tenacious, groundbreaking scientist who has been underrepresented in books for youth. Extensive back matter concludes. Ages 8-12. (May)

Gr 4-6--Many people know about Jane Goodall, but far fewer know about the work of Biruté Mary Galdikas. Galdikas began studying orangutans in Borneo in 1971 and eventually created the Orangutan Foundation International, a nonprofit organization that focuses on protecting these mammals and their environments. The narrative shares the story of Galdikas's early life and her interest in science as a young girl. Readers are provided with generous background material not only on Galdikas and her family but the mentors she adopted along the way, including Louis Leakey and Jane Goodall. The narrative documents her journey to study these creatures in the wild and her pursuit to save these animals from extinction. Certainly filled with its challenges, including months sequestered in the rain forest without human contact or a well-rounded diet, Galdikas was determined to learn as much as she could. She realized that orangutans were quite similar to humans in their need for love, affection, and attention. Students will marvel at the lush landscape and adorable animals. Biographies of the various orangutans that she studied are included, as well as maps, a key to the featured plants, and further resources. VERDICT This detailed book is great for students who are studying animal conservation or want to learn about similar primatologists and anthropologists like Jane Goodall.--V. Lynn Christiansen, Wiley International Studies Magnet Elementary School, Raleigh, NC