The Case of the Mummified Pigs: And Other Mysteries in Nature [Paperback]

Susan E. Quinlan (Author), Jennifer Owings Dewey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1999 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Exploring fourteen ecological mysteries, including why a herd of reindeer would suddenly disappear, and why dead pigs would become mummified, a naturalist and wildlife biologist takes readers on a journey of discovery and investigation. Jr Lib Guild.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. Why are monarch butterflies so brightly colored? What happened to the burgeoning reindeer herd on isolated Saint Matthew Island? In a quiet yet dramatic fashion, Quinlan follows the scientists who sought solutions to these and 12 other puzzling occurrences, vividly demonstrating the intricate linkage between plants and animals that exists in nature. Without being strident, she delivers a consciousness-raising plea that challenges readers to look more closely at the world they live in and to take better care of it. Although competently executed, the illustrations are somewhat disappointing given the intriguing ecological conundrums Quinlan has gathered together. The list of further readings includes many drawn from magazine articles. Stephanie Zvirin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Pr (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563977834
• ISBN-13: 978-1563977831
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #519,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A complex topic introduced with simplicity, July 22, 2000

By A Customer

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This review is from: The Case of the Mummified Pigs: And Other Mysteries in Nature (Paperback)

By presenting 14 different cases, Quinlan demonstrates theinterconnectedness of life in a biome or habitat. Outstanding softpencil drawings illustrate animal and plant species referred to in the text. I'd love to buy a class set for fourth graders to study in a nature/life science unit. What a great place to begin learning about ecology ... mummified pigs, reindeer skeletons, missing hares, trees that won't grow!