Shark Quest: Protecting the Ocean's Top Predators

Young, Karen Romano

ISBN 10: 151249805X ISBN 13: 9781512498059

Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books ™, 2018

Synopsis

Sharks are in trouble. Fifty shark species are at high risk of extinction, and another sixty-three are threatened. Discover the work of scientists and conservationists as they study shark biology and morphology; research migration, feeding, and mating patterns; delve into human, climate, and other threats to shark habitat; and develop sophisticated technologies to aid sharks and shark research. See how scientists also educate the public about real and imagined fear of sharks and encourage citizen participation in shark conservation efforts. You can even adopt a shark!

About this title

About the Author

Karen Romano Young has dived to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean in a tiny submarine, crunched through Arctic ice in an icebreaker, and visited labs, museum workshops, and research institutions across the U.S. to write and draw about science. She was a lead science communications fellow aboard Dr. Robert Ballard's research ship E/V Nautilus.

Karen has written and/or illustrated more than 30 books for children and is the creator of Humanimal Doodles, a science comic. Her nonfiction books include Try This! and Try This Extreme! (National Geographic). Her fiction work includes The Beetle and Me: A Love Story; the graphic novel Doodlebug: a Novel in Doodles; and Hundred Percent. Her next book for Twenty-First Century Books is Whale Quest.

Karen lives with her family in the woods of Bethel, Connecticut. Her next adventure is a stint at Palmer Station, Antarctica, as the recipient of the National Science Foundation's Antarctic Artists and Writers Grant. She has not yet traveled to space.

Review

"This book reveals why sharks don't deserve their bad reputation. Young first refutes sharks' bloodthirstiness toward humans by stating that there were 81 unprovoked shark attacks on humans in 2016, but at least one hundred million sharks are killed annually by humans. A study by Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia shows a shocking decline in shark species from 1985 to 2000, and many shark species have become endangered. The book explains the man-made and natural threats that have contributed to this decline, and includes a guide of shark species, explores their migration and mating patterns, and shares how scientists are gathering data about sharks. Shark-protection advocates like pioneering ichthyologist Eugenie Clark led the way for ecotourism, and the popularity of Shark Week has also helped encourage young people to become citizen scientists to advocate for saving sharks. The book includes spotlights of 'shark truths,' infographics, and other further resources. This is an engaging, well-researched book about a much maligned species of fish that deserves our protection."―Booklist

(Journal)

"A remarkably thorough tour of the world of sharks and marine scientists' efforts to educate the public about our ocean's apex predators. Misconceptions fueled by sensationalized attack stories in the media and limb-rending horror films have painted sharks as bloodthirsty villains of the sea, lying in wait for tasty, unsuspecting humans. As Young (Whale Quest, 2017, etc.) explains, however, humans―a fairly new addition to sharks' world with our 6 million years on the planet being a mere blip compared to sharks' 420 million―actually represent the single greatest threat to sharks' continued existence through harmful practices like finning, commercial fishing, and pollution. This human threat is not a new topic for informational texts, and here is where so many books conclude, perhaps with a final call for action and touch of doom―but not so with this one. Instead, Young's interweaving of dismantled misinformation and captivating 'shark truths' seamlessly leads into the activities undertaken by researchers and conservationists to better understand and protect shark populations. Projects like SharkCam robots, fully mapping the shark genome, and citizen-driven tagging initiatives not only ground readers in real efforts that are happening right now to address the harm humans are doing, but also propel readers forward by showing how much remains unknown about these powerful creatures. Rich information borders on overload, but passion cuts through the density."―Kirkus Reviews

(Journal)

"Young begins by dispelling myths about sharks that have proliferated in the media and popular culture. Chapters such as 'What's a Shark?' and 'Shark Sex' are quick reads and will dispel the creatures' reputations as terrors of the oceans, while also easily engaging readers. Further discussion about ichthyologists, scientists who study fish, and their research in and out of the water follows. Young also provides a balanced discussion about the pros and cons of having sharks in captivity. Ways in which scientists identify and track sharks―GoPro-style cameras called Crittercams, and smartphone apps―will fascinate readers. Shark populations are endangered due in large part to the human impact, specifically fishing and finning, and information about how teens can act as advocates and conservationists is provided. A guide at the end presents biological classifications, complete with scientific names, images, and brief information about eight identified orders of sharks. VERDICT A must-purchase for libraries with fans of Shark Week."―School Library Journal

(Journal)

Edition details

• Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books ™
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 151249805X
• ISBN 13: 9781512498059
• Binding: Library Binding
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 128