Beyond Words

February 1, 2019

Gr 4-9-In this young readers adaptation of the author's 2015 book, Safina contemplates the inner life of the largest land mammal, the elephant, and the largest dolphin, the orca. He writes of his travels to Kenya to observe elephants and interview scientists and conservationists who study them and attempt to protect them. After an interlude connecting the two species, he relates his travels to the Pacific Northwest, where he spent time with Ken Balcomb, who for 40 years has studied orcas. In beautiful, accessible, often heartbreakingly poignant prose, the author explains how many have proven, anecdotally and scientifically, that animals exhibit complex emotions and thought processes. Both elephants and orcas have strong and complicated family bonds and experience joy and grief. Safina also hammers home the real threat that the animals, especially elephants, face-poachers and habitat loss for elephants and food source loss for orcas. This well-researched volume contains many black-and-white photos, 10 pages of source notes, and a thorough bibliography. VERDICT This excellent, documentary-style account will captivate budding animal behavioral scientists.-Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2019
Safina recounts time spent and insights gained among elephants and orcas in their native habitats.The text, adapted from his 2015 book for adults, has been unerringly edited for young readers. Safina insists that the best research focuses on understanding the animals themselves. He subtly reminds readers of this while keeping them entranced by true stories highlighting the complex social behaviors, intelligence, and compassion of the largest land mammals and the largest dolphins on our planet. Of course, comparisons to ourselves cannot be ignored, as examples of these gentle giants teaching their young, being creative, and showing empathy abound. Photographs of daily lives of elephants and orcas accompany many of the short, conversational chapters. The first part of the book is devoted to elephants and the second to orcas, with a brief interlude in which the author describes similarities between the apparently disparate species. In one of many amusing quips, he invites readers to "think of it this way: An elephant is a mammal outfitted for hiking, a whale is outfitted for diving...under the gear, there's a lot in common." The hardest chapters are "Ivory" and "The Cost of Captivity," which bring home the somber truths about horrific damage done to both species by human beings. However, the overall tone is a winning mixture of reverence, wonder, and even playfulness.A must for middle-grade animal lovers. (notes, selected bibliography, index) (Nonfiction.10-14)

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March 15, 2019
Grades 5-9 In an adaptation of his adult book of the same title, Safina presents his research and observation of elephants and whales in an approachable, compelling manner. By studying and following each of these animal groups for extended periods, he explains that although they don't speak a language that humans comprehend, they do indeed recognize and communicate with one another, particularly those in their family groups. The family groups, both close and distant relatives, hold great importance to the family. Both these groups of mammals are matriarchal-based, with the oldest female retaining and transmitting tremendous amounts of information to younger generations. However, poaching and death from natural causes frequently interrupts this transmission, causing great distress for remaining elephants and whales. Safina's writing and photographs present the facts, but his presentation style may bring emotions that readers aren't expecting. Armed with the information they take away from the book, readers may well grow more supportive of conservation efforts to protect elephants and whales. Detailed chapter notes, a select bibliography, and an index round out this excellent book.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)