Come Back, Salmon: How a Group of Dedicated Kids Adopted Pigeon Creek and Brought it Back to Life [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Molly Cone (Author), Sidnee Wheelwright (Photographer)

Book Description

From Gisela Jernigan--Childrens Literature: "Although Pigeon Creek flows into Washington's beautiful Puget Sound, before it was adopted and cleaned up by Mr. Jackson's fifth grade class, it was so full of trash that you could barely see the water, let alone any fish. Just about everyone in Jackson Elementary, led by the dedicated fifth grade, helped to clean the creek and restock it with baby salmon. Throughout the project the kids learned a great deal about the ecology of the stream and the needs and life cycle of the Coho salmon. And even though many people told them the salmon would never return to Pigeon Creek, they were successful. The many colored photos and drawings enhance the lively text, which is informal, informational and inspiring. Orbis Pictus Award winner and a Horn Book Fanfare award."

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-- The story of how an elementary school in Washington state ``adopted'' a polluted stream that had once been a spawning ground for salmon. The children launched a major community effort to clean it up and, with the aid of grants, stocked an aquarium with salmon eggs from a state hatchery. The entire school was involved in caring for the eggs as they hatched, grew, and were eventually released into the now clean stream. It would be hard not to get caught up in the excitement and anxiety of the students as they wait for the fish to return to Pigeon Creek to spawn. Cone includes facts on the life cycle of the salmon in her clear, lively text, while Wheelwright's excellent illustrations and full-color photographs add to the overall quality of the presentation.
- Tina Smith Entwistle, Oakley Park Elem . School, Walled Lake, MI
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

An inspiring story of young scientists in action, featured on Nova: how schoolchildren in Everett, Washington, worked with their teachers to clean up Pigeon Creek and reclaim it as a salmon spawning ground. Candid color photos of boys and girls of several ethnic groups, plus a text based on recorded conversations with the kids, lend drama and immediacy; additional scientific facts (e.g., how salmon scales tell the age of the fish; how salmon build a nest or ``redd'') appear in boxes. Glossary; index. (Nonfiction. 10-12) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sierra Club Books for Children (May 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871564890
• ISBN-13: 978-0871564894
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #804,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Fish > Nonfiction
  • #49 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Reptiles & Amphibians

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story well told that young and old alike can relate too., June 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Come Back Salmon: How a Group of Dedicicated Kids Adopted Pigeon Creek and Brought it Back to Life (Hardcover)

I first researched this project after reading newspaper accounts and was glad to see this story come into book form. It well illustrates the efforts of these determined students and even made the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children list in 1992. It's a good example of a community service project for students and and teachers.

1.0 out of 5 stars swim fishy swim, March 6, 2006

By 

southern teacher (memphis, tn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Come Back, Salmon: How a Group of Dedicated Kids Adopted Pigeon Creek and Brought it Back to Life (Paperback)

Very well written with beautiful photographs and helpful illustrations. This nonfiction book is the perfect length for younger elementary students. My 3rd grade class enjoyed the book and became interested in the project. We wrote the school and they were very good about answering emails.

4.0 out of 5 stars young environmentalists in training, December 12, 2002

By 

slashdot (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Come Back, Salmon: How a Group of Dedicated Kids Adopted Pigeon Creek and Brought it Back to Life (Paperback)

I used this book as part of a unit when I was student teaching and the children were enraptured with the theme of preservation. Perfect for the classroom setting, but don't underestimate the joy it'll bring the frog-lover in your family.