Grouper Moon - Softcover

Cynthia Shaw

3.6

5 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0967059526 ISBN 13: 9780967059525

Publisher: Aurelia Pr, 1999

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In a timeless dual coming-of-age story, the multi-layered plot follows Cooper, an affable Nassau Grouper; and Renny, a bright, independent 13-year old island boy whose life is his reef in Coconut Cove. Cooper, who has been content with his life on the reef as a solitary grouper, is taken by surprise one day when he realizes that for the first time in his seven years of life, he is lonely. His comfortable life is turned upside down as he is swept away by his bones on a mysterious mission of great importance to his kind. Renny's own comfortable world is turned upside down when the property above Coconut Cove is sold to a Yankee who plans to build a dive resort. For the first time ever, Renny faces the prospect of sharing his reef with strangers from other countries. Not keen on the idea, he resents the intrusion and fears damage to his reef by tourists. While spearfishing on Christmas afternoon, Renny is taken on an adventure by his new fins. He encounters the grouper and follows it into a dark, secret place, where their two worlds become magically linked. As islanders prepare for Grouper Moon, the annual Nassau Grouper spawning aggregation, the arrival of a biologist draws Renny even further into the world of groupers. When he learns that Cooper's first journey into the unknown may be his last, Renny wants to help. But how? And is it already too late? A delightful and unforgettable story, Grouper Moon is about friendship and trust, second chances, and having the courage to reach out and make a difference in a big world. Enjoyable entertainment and learning for ecologically-minded readers of all ages, 10 & up. (RL-5.3).

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From the Publisher:

As a publisher of specialized science education supplementary materials, Grouper Moon was originally conceived for upper elementary/middle school classrooms as part of a unit on coral reef ecology. We wanted a readable, engaging chapter book with accurate and applicable science that would draw students into timely conservation issues. We wanted to present these issues with an overall-not just biological-approach, and the issues needed to be presented simply, but with a global perspective. Cynthia Shaw, a scientific illustrator and educator, had some exciting ideas for this. Drawing from her childhood experiences in Florida and Trinidad, as well as her scuba diving and marine zoology background, she masterfully wove together an unforgettable story with multiple, but related, themes. When put it to the test, having children and adults of all ages and backgrounds read the story, the feedback was wonderful. Kids loved the story, and appreciated the author's straightforward manner of presenting the science. Adults were equally enthusiastic, not only enjoying the story and the science themselves, but eager to share it with their children. (One mother told us that she overheard her boys talking about the book, saying they thought it was almost as good as Harry Potter!) As a result of our field testing, it became clear to us that Grouper Moon belonged not only in the classroom, but "out there" for anyone to enjoy. The story-with its themes of friendship and trust; self discovery; caring for our world and for each other; and having the courage to make a difference-has all the ingredients of a real classic. A teacher's guide and activity book for Grouper Moon will soon be available.

About the Author:

A scientific illustrator and writer, Cynthia Shaw received her bachelor's degree in zoology from the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. As the daughter of a U.S. Navy officer, Cynthia spent her formative years in Florida and the Caribbean, and has been an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer for over 35 years. She now resides in Washington State.

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