The Great White Shark Scientist

May 30, 2016
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.

Starred review from March 15, 2016
"They're laid back. They're calm. They're beautiful." That's shark researcher Greg Skomal's assessment of great whites, the subject of Montgomery's latest entry in the long-running Scientists in the Field series. Here, she invites her readers to appreciate the glory of these much-feared sharks, first through the work of scientists who use video recordings and tags to identify and then track individual sharks who spend summers off Cape Cod, and then with a diving expedition off Guadalupe, Mexico. This acclaimed nature writer's particular strength is that she's not afraid to describe scientific drudge work, giving a rounded picture of what being a field scientist is like. She chooses examples carefully and structures her six smoothly written chapters to build to a crescendo of excitement, going from an unproductive day (and some dull but important safety details) to a very satisfying one and then to an up-close encounter with sharks from the vantage point of a shark cage. Informational segments, including some intriguing facts and surprising statistics, separate each chapter. She picks out details that will engage her middle school readers. Ellenbogen's photographs, both close-up and from the perspective of a spotter plane, bring readers even closer to her experience. This appreciative introduction to a much-maligned species will thrill readers while it encourages them to see great white sharks in a new way. (maps, bibliography, Web resources, acknowledgments, index) (Nonfiction. 10-15)

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Starred review from June 1, 2016

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

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from May 1, 2016
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* The great white shark is widely feared but little understood, a situation some scientists have set out to change, one bit of data at a time. Sibert Medalwinning writer Montgomery and marine photographer Ellenbogen introduce a team of researchers led by biologist Greg Skomal. After photographing, identifying, and tagging individual sharks around Cape Cod, the scientists study their movements over time. The book takes readers along on several expeditions with Greg's team as it searches for great white sharks, discusses them, and sometimes identifies individuals. Descriptions of what's happening on board the boats, along with quoted conversations, offer vivid glimpses of shark research. In the last chapter, Montgomery and Ellenbogen observe the sharks up close, from a cage lowered into the Pacific off the coast of Mexico. Readers interested in marine biology in general or great white sharks in particular will find the text informative and the you-are-there immediacy of the writing exciting. The photos, which include aerial and underwater shots, are excellent, and the fact that they illustrate this particular text rather than simply offering pictures of sharks strengthens the book as a whole. Part of the Scientists in the Field series, this is a fine addition to the ever-popular shark shelf.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)