Case of the Mummified Pigs

Quinlan, Susan

ISBN 10: 1878093827 ISBN 13: 9781878093820

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press, 1995

Synopsis

Naturalist and wildlife biologist Sue Quinlan explores fourteen ecological mysteries: Why would a herd of reindeer suddenly disappear? How could a bird's tail feathers change color? And what would make dead pigs become mummified? Drawing upon scientific studies and firsthand interviews with scientists, Quinlan traces the steps of investigation and discovery.

About this title

About the Author:

Susan E. Quinlan is a wildlife biologist, who has worked for many years as a field biologist and outdoor educator. She lives in Fairbanks, Alaska.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-7?Quinlan presents over a dozen puzzling natural occurrences, describes the various investigations that scientists have conducted, and relates how they pieced together clues to come up with an explanation for each event or phenomena. Some of the "cases" involve plants, some animals; all point to the wide web of "secret connections" found in nature and the ripple effect any change can exert upon an environment. A few of the mysteries really are grabbers?especially the opening selection about a tragically decimated population of reindeer and the title entry. Eventually, however, the narratives become repetitive and serve to reinforce scientific concepts rather than introduce new ones. Time periods are not consistently established and settings are vague (there are no maps). Also, readers never get to know any of these nature detectives. The pencil drawings are attractive, but not distinct enough to offer clues or add excitement. Here's a clue?when curiosity is aroused, don't sate it with dry details and morals; let the puzzle make the point.?Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 1878093827
• ISBN 13: 9781878093820
• Binding: Library Binding
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32