1. Bibliography
Montgomery, Sy. 2006. Quest for the Tree Kangaroo. Photographs by Nic Bishop. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 9780618496419
2. Plot Summary
Lisa Dabek is the scientific leader of a group on a quest to find and study the Matschie's tree kangaroo in the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea. Writer Sy Montgomery and photographer Nic Bishop join Lisa, other scientists, and guides from the village of Yawan to document the quest in words and pictures. The team successfully captures several tree kangaroos and fits them with collars, which will help the scientists track their movements, therefore enabling them to learn more about the animals.
3. Critical Analysis
Sy Montgomery is a highly-respected writer of informational books. She has written ten books for children about animals, with the 11th one coming out later this month. Also, she has written eight informational books for adults. Both her children and adult books have been praised by reviewers and have received many prestigious awards and recognitions. Because Montgomery was a part of the expedition for the tree kangaroo, her first-hand account provides validity to the text. Bishop's photographs document the group's quest and provide accurate and compelling visuals of the animals and habitat of Papua New Guinea's cloud forest.
The literary quality of Montgomery's writing style will keep readers highly engaged. It is clear that Montgomery has a passion for the study of animals, and she transfers that passion to her readers by vividly describing each detail of the group's search for tree kangaroos, creating curiosity and piquing the reader's interest. The chronological organization of the book is enhanced by clear chapter titles that mark important moments in the group's quest. With bold, colorful photographs on every page and captions for each photograph, the reader is able to visually travel with the group into the forest and learn more about these elusive, fascinating animals. The book ends with helpful advice to kids who are interested in studying animals as well as sources to help the reader learn more about tree kangaroos. Overall, this informational book is well-written, engaging, and provides practical information about life as a field scientist and reliable information about an animal that many people will never see.
4. Review Excerpts
A 2006 Sibert Honor book
A Junior Library Guild Selection
John Burroughs Young Reader Award
Orbis Pictus Award for nonfiction from the National Council of Teachers of English
A Booklist Editor's Choice for 2006
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 2006
A National Science Teachers Association Council on Children's Books Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12 Selection
Booklist, Starred review: "Montgomery and Bishop follow award-winning titles such as The Tarantula Scientist (2004) with another beautifully illustrated entry…This time they join researchers on a grueling expedition in Papua New Guinea to track the rare Matchie’s Tree Kangaroo....Montgomery gives an unusually strong, visceral sense of the work and cooperation fieldwork entails and the scope and uniqueness of this particular mission. She also communicates the thrill of studying animals in the wild, making observations, and discovering new information. As usual, Bishop’s color photographs are exemplary and extend the excitement in close-ups of creatures and of the team at work."
Kirkus, Starred review: "...this is another commendable title from an experienced team."
The Washington Post: "Bishop’s sharply focused photographs have a “you are there” quality, while Montgomery vividly captures the scientists’ excitement when they snare several tree kangaroos..."
5. Connections
This book would be an excellent choice for a study on the life of a scientist and field work. It could be paired with two other award-winning books by Montgomery and Bishop:
Montgomery, Sy. The Tarantula Scientist. Photography by Nic Bishop. ISBN 061891577X
Montgomery, Sy. The Snake Scientist. Photography by Nic Bishop. ISBN 0618111190
Montgomery, Sy. The Tapir Scientist. Photography by Nic Bishop ISBN 0547815484 (coming July 23, 2013)
Other books to study scientists in the field are:
O'Connell, Caitlyn and Jackson, Donna M. The Elephant Scientist. Photography by Timothy Rodwell. ISBN 0547053444
Turner, Pamela S. The Frog Scientist. Photography by Andy Comins. ISBN 0547576986
Quest for the Tree Kangaroo could also be used in a study of endangered or elusive animals and paired with other Montgomery/Bishop books:
Montgomery, Sy. Saving the Ghost of the Mountain. Photography by Nic Bishop. ISBN 0618916458
Montgomery, Sy. Kakapo Rescue. Photography by Nic Bishop. ISBN 0618494170
Additionally, teachers will find activities to accompany Quest for the Tree Kangaroo at Montgomery's website:
Tree Kangaroo Class Activities
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