Nonfiction and Biography #4

Nonfiction and Biography

Book Review #4

QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO

AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA

TEXT BY SY MONTGOMERY

PHOTOGRAPHS BY NIC BISHOP

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Montgomery, Sy. 2006. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO; AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618496419

PLOT SUMMARY

"It feels like we've walked into a living fairy tale" is what scientist Lisa Dabek describes when she enters the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea.  This book discusses the adventurous trip to find the amazing Matschie's tree kangaroo.  Scientist Lisa Dabek, author Sy Montgomery, photographer Nic Bishop, and a whole crew of explorers hope to find, capture, and release as many Matschie's as possible.  Well documented are the trials and tribulations associated with the capture, testing, tracking, and releasing of the tree kangaroo.  Dabek's team goes to extreme measures-hiking nine hours in one day, flying at dangerously high altitudes-to learn about these creatures and try to learn as much as possible to help them survive.  This book also provides information about other interesting animals in New Guinea and the fascinating culture there.  Their adventure to find these animals is written perfectly and described with beautiful photographs to take the reader to that magical place .  This is a must read for people who love nature and are curious about undiscovered territory.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Sy Montgomery tells the story of this amazing experience with vivid details about the scenery and the life of the natives of Papau.  She uses her knowledge and experiences as a naturalist, documentary scriptwriter, and radio commentator to the retell the expedition of these scientists as accurately as possible on their quest to find this rare kangaroo.  As she follows these scientist Sy describes with great detail what Lisa sees, feels, and experiences during this adventure.  Difficult situations are described which makes the reader more interested and emphatic to the difficult situations these scientist experience all for a common goal, to try to add as much information as possible to the study of Matschie's. 

Nic Bishop does a wonderful job capturing the essence of their journey with his amazing photographs.  His photographs do not require captions, "the pictures tell a thousand words." His photographs offer such an insight into the physical surroundings that the reader is able to relate to the emotions of the people going through clouds and captures every detail which engages the reader even more.  Bishop's creative style and colorful pictures invites you to continue reading the whole book.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL STARRED REVIEW: "Debek's pursuit of  her interest in animals despite problems with asthma and her suggestions about exploring the natural world should encourage young scientist.  The book's fascinating glimpses into a little-explored region will hold the attention of anyone interested in unusual creatures and the efforts to study them."

BOOKLIST STARRED REVIEW: "Montgomery gives an unusually strong, visceral sense of the work and cooperation fieldwork entails and the scope and uniqueness of this particular mission...As usual, Bishop's color photographs are exemplary and extend the excitement in stunning close-ups of creatures and of the team at work."

CONNECTIONS

*Invite children to think of an animal they would like to know more about and research it, they can use this book to generate questions to learn about their animal.

*Invite students to do an author study on Sy Montgomery and read other books written by her.

*Invite students t0 read other books with photographs by Nic Bishop and compare his style of pictures in each book.

*Other books written and photographed by Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop:

THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST. ISBN 9780618915774
CHASING CHEETAHS: THE RACE TO SAVE AFRICA'S FASTEST CAT. ISBN 9780547815497