Extreme Scientists: Exploring Nature's Mysteries from Perilous Places (Scientists in the Field Series) [Hardcover]

Donna M. Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 2009 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Scientists in the Field Series

Scientists in the Field .s.s. to the extreme!

When Paul Flaherty goes to work, he climbs into a four-engine WP-3D Orion turboprop plane and heads directly into the eye of a hurricane. Miles below, Hazel Barton’s job in microbiology takes her to the depths of the world’s most treacherous caves. And on the other side of the topsoil, way, way above the forest floor, Stephen Sillett passes his days (and sometimes his nights) in the canopies of the tallest trees on earth.
Welcome to the work—and worlds—of extreme scientists. From hurricanes to caves to the crowns of towering redwoods, these scientists battle some of the earth’s most intense conditions in order to save lives, preserve species, and help us to better understand the way our planet works.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–Three scientists whose research entails physical danger are featured here: one flies into hurricanes; another explores caves; and the third climbs the world's tallest trees. Through interviews, the author explores their work and its physical and psychological challenges. Although each section mentions that researchers can die from accidents in the field, the benefits and joys of each area of work are emphasized. Large color photos show the people (all Caucasian), their equipment, and the beauty of the extreme nature they explore. The section on cave explorer Hazel Barton has the most human interest and even shows a tattoo on her arm that depicts a partial map of South Dakota's Wind Cave. References to the subjects' childhood interests in science suggest that it's never too early to begin exploring. This exemplary title is just the thing for those who think that all scientists are sedentary.–Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
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Review

"[the] text is thick with facts, but the researchers' anecdotes, which include harrowing recounts of near-death experiences . . . will keep kids tuned in, perhaps concocting their own adventurous careers." --Audubon magazine, Sept/Oct 2010

"Fascinating."  (starred review) --ALA Booklist

"While the clearly written text includes vivid passages about the dangers these scientists face, it goes on to discuss what drives them to pursue their subjects and what they have discovered along the way. Each of the three sections concludes with an interview. The many excellent, color photos portray these adventurers as scientists intently focused on their work, though sometimes in unusual or unusually beautiful surroundings . . . Fascinating."--Booklist, starred review

“Photos are key here, and they’re dramatic indeed . . . Kids who need convincing that science isn’t all white coats and test tubes will have their eyes opened here.”--The Bulletin

"Readers will encounter fascinating facts about weather forecasting, cave bacteria and fungi and life in the treetops. Each section ends with a series of quick questions to these courageous scientists."--Kirkus Reviews

"Jackson hits just the right balance between informative descriptions of the science and excitement surrounding the risks involved in the activities of the scientists. The numerous intriguing photos achieve this balance as well, showcasing all three scientists both in the lab and out in their elements."--The Horn Book Magazine

"This exemplary title is just the thing for those who think that all scientists are sedentary."--School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (May 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618777067
• ISBN-13: 978-0618777068
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 11.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #543,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Get Real! That's what I love to do most--write about real people, places, and things. During my travels, I've met some fascinating people, from bug scientists to bone detectives. I've also had the privilege of meeting some of the heroes--and hero dogs--of September 11th.

This year, I'm excited to share two new books: WHAT'S SO FUNNY?, which explores the worlds of humor and laughter, and THE ELEPHANT SCIENTIST, which follows the remarkable work of Caitlin O'Connell, a researcher who studies African elephants at Etosha National Park in Namibia. Both are books I hope you'll find as fascinating to read as I did to write!

Visit: www.donnamjackson.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This wildly fascinating book about extreme scientists will leave the reader wanting more!, July 11, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Extreme Scientists: Exploring Nature's Mysteries from Perilous Places (Scientists in the Field Series) (Hardcover)

Sometimes the passion and the rewards of a job outweigh its risks as in the case of many "extreme scientists." They all have jobs to do and flirting with danger is just part of it. You just gotta do what you gotta do and in this book you'll be an armchair observer and feel the thrills without a chance of getting hurt unless of course you fall out of your chair with excitement when you dream of having one of these careers!

Paul Flaherty was always fascinated by the weather and knew, even as a young boy, that he was going to be a meteorologist. The blizzard of `78 for a "weather-crazed kid" turned him on, but the first storm that totally mesmerized him was Hurricane Gloria. He went out in the storm . . . "the sand blinded me at times and it was the first time I saw the ocean crash over the seawall." Paul was going to be a hurricane hunter and mark the "absolute center" of them!

Hazel Barton is a microbiologist and her quest takes her underground in search of some of the world's "tiniest inhabitants." Her specialty is looking for "extremophiles," microbes that can survive under the harshest of conditions. When she was a teenager, a biology assignment was to grow microbes in a petri dish using anything from her body, say like dandruff. "The next day, this gross yellow snotty thing grew, and it was just amazing to me . . . From that point on, I knew I wanted to do microbiology." Now the Cave Woman forges into the unknown beneath the Earth in search of microbes.

Steve Sillett was like a lot of kids. He loved climbing trees. When he was in college, he "studied organisms that live in trees" and then became "fascinated with forest canopies," the stuff that grows at the top of trees. Now Steve was made of all the right stuff to become a botanist. He was the first scientist to climb to the top of the redwoods and the community he saw up there astounded him. He even found "wandering salamanders living in the soils high in the crowns of the redwoods." Amazing, isn't it?

I found this book to be wildly fascinating as will its intended audience. The text is lively and engaging and is peppered with interesting photographs. There are several "oh, wow!" moments every few pages. There are numerous informative sidebars throughout the book and a "Quick Questions" section at the end of each chapter about each scientist. In the back of the book there is a glossary of "Trailblazing Terms," an index and additional recommended books, DVDS and website resources. Are you interested in being an extreme scientist? If so you might want to take a close look at this book!