Extreme Survivors: (Level 2) (Amer Museum of Nat History Easy Readers) - Softcover

Roop, Connie; Roop, Peter; American Museum Of Natural History

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1402777914 ISBN 13: 9781402777912

Publisher: Union Square Kids, 2014

Synopsis

From boiling heat to bone-chilling cold, from the driest deserts to the darkest caves, from the tallest mountains to the deepest seas: these animals survive in the most extreme environments imaginable. Meet these incredible creatures, including polar bears and penguins that endure freezing temperatures, brine shrimp that swim in salty waters, birds that fly higher than airplanes, and even the ancient microscopic “water bear,” an “extremophile” that could stay alive in outer space!   

About this title

About the Author

The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is one of the largest and most respected museums in the world. Since the Museum was founded in 1869, its collections have grown to include more than 32 million specimens and artifacts relating to the natural world and human cultures. The Museum showcases its collections in the exhibit halls, and, behind the scenes, more than 200 scientists carry out cutting-edge research. It is also home to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial, New York State's official memorial to its 33rd governor and the nation's 26th president, and a tribute to Roosevelt's enduring legacy of conservation. Approximately five million people from around the world visit the Museum each year. Plan a trip to the Museum, home of the world's largest collection of dinosaur fossils, or visit online at amnh.org.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 2—This short, readable work focuses on the flora and fauna that flourish in the harshest environments because of their specialized physical features. Creatures discussed include reptiles, birds, mammals, ocean dwellers, insects, and bacteria, among others. Explanations are brief and simple. The sections on penguins and polar bears will provide a smooth transition for readers new to the subject but provide no amazing insights (for instance, polar bears stay warm because of "twin layers of fur"). Information on rattlesnakes and kangaroo rats is slightly more intriguing. The book is uneven; for example, readers will find out that pink algae in the Yellowstone National Park's Morning Glory Pool survives because of its color, but no details are given as to how this process works. The cover photo (a water bear, a microanimal that can live under almost any condition) likely won't draw in students, but once they've picked up this title, they'll glide through the easy-to-read text. As fodder for developing reading fluency, the book is useful, but readers will only be able to follow up on a few of the subjects (polar bears, penguins, sperm whales, rattlesnakes). The rest will require adult assistance for further reading, making this an additional purchase.—Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

About this edition

• Publisher: Union Square Kids
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1402777914
• ISBN 13: 9781402777912
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32